Cambodia is moving to strengthen eco tourism development across Kampong Speu and Koh Kong, with the government looking to turn the natural and cultural assets of the Cardamom Mountains into a more connected tourism destination. Ministers from the Environment, Tourism and Rural Development ministries met at the Ministry of Environment on September 8, 2026, to discuss ways to accelerate the development of eco tourism sites while protecting the region’s forests, wildlife and natural resources.
The initiative focuses on connecting forest landscapes, wildlife areas, waterfalls and indigenous minority cultural sites into a unified green corridor. The strategy is intended to generate more economic opportunities for communities living near these destinations while maintaining the long term conservation of the Cardamom Mountains. The initiative also forms part of Cambodia’s wider environmental and development agenda under the Environmental Sector Strategic Framework 2023 to 2028 and the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1.
“Cambodia is taking a more integrated approach to developing eco tourism in Kampong Speu and Koh Kong by connecting forests, wildlife, waterfalls and indigenous cultural sites across the Cardamom Mountains. The initiative aims to turn the region’s natural and cultural assets into a stronger green tourism network that can attract visitors while creating better economic opportunities for local communities. At the same time, the government is emphasising sustainable conservation, recognising that the long term value of these destinations depends on protecting the natural resources that make them attractive in the first place. By linking multiple eco tourism hubs into a unified corridor, Cambodia is seeking to balance tourism development, community livelihoods and biodiversity protection. The approach also supports national environmental and development priorities under the Environmental Sector Strategic Framework 2023 to 2028 and the Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1.”
Kampong Speu and Koh Kong Take Centre Stage in Green Tourism
The latest government discussion places Kampong Speu and Koh Kong at the centre of Cambodia’s efforts to expand eco tourism. Both provinces are connected to the Cardamom Mountains, an area whose forests, wildlife and natural landscapes provide a strong foundation for nature based tourism.
Rather than developing individual destinations in isolation, the initiative seeks to connect different tourism assets into a wider network. Forest landscapes, waterfalls, wildlife and indigenous minority cultural sites would form parts of a unified green corridor, giving visitors opportunities to experience several dimensions of Cambodia’s natural and cultural heritage within one broader destination.
This approach could also help diversify Cambodia’s tourism offering. While the country is internationally recognised for its cultural heritage and major attractions, nature based tourism provides another avenue for attracting travellers interested in outdoor activities, biodiversity, local culture and sustainable travel.
A Green Corridor Across the Cardamom Mountains
At the centre of the initiative is the concept of a unified green corridor across the Cardamom Mountains. The idea is to connect different eco tourism hubs so that natural landscapes and community based attractions become part of a more coherent tourism experience.
A connected tourism corridor can also encourage visitors to explore beyond individual attractions. Instead of treating a waterfall, forest area or cultural site as a standalone destination, tourism development can link these experiences together and create a broader journey through the region.
For local tourism businesses, this type of connectivity could create opportunities for accommodation providers, guides, transport operators, restaurants, community tourism groups and other service providers. Greater cooperation between destinations could also help communities capture more of the economic value generated by visitors.
Tourism Development Must Protect Natural Resources
The government’s approach places conservation alongside tourism development. The ministers discussed expanding eco tourism potential while ensuring the protection and sustainable conservation of natural resources.
This balance is particularly important for nature based tourism because the environment itself is the main asset attracting visitors. Forests, wildlife, waterfalls and other natural features can generate tourism income, but their long term value depends on responsible management and protection.
Sustainable tourism therefore becomes more than an environmental objective. It is also an economic consideration. Protecting natural resources helps maintain the attractions that support local businesses and communities, while uncontrolled development could undermine the very destinations that tourism depends upon.
Local Communities Stand to Benefit From the Expansion
Improving local livelihoods is one of the central objectives of the initiative. The government aims to expand eco tourism in ways that generate economic opportunities for communities located around the Cardamom Mountains.
A stronger flow of visitors could create demand for locally provided services and products, allowing communities to participate more directly in the tourism economy. Eco tourism can also create opportunities for community based experiences connected with local landscapes and indigenous cultural heritage.
The focus on indigenous minority cultural sites adds another important dimension to the proposed green corridor. Tourism development that incorporates local cultural assets can give visitors a deeper understanding of the communities and traditions associated with the region while creating opportunities for those communities to participate in the destination economy.
Biodiversity and Tourism Share the Same Foundation
The initiative highlights an important relationship between tourism and biodiversity. Cambodia’s forests and wildlife are not only environmental resources but also potential drivers of responsible tourism development.
By linking wildlife and forest landscapes with other attractions, the government is seeking to strengthen the tourism value of the broader Cardamom region. This could help create a destination model in which conservation and tourism support each other rather than being treated as separate priorities.
For investors and tourism entrepreneurs, the emphasis on sustainable development also points toward opportunities in nature based tourism services. However, any expansion must remain consistent with the government’s focus on protecting natural resources. Long term tourism value depends on maintaining the quality and integrity of the environment.
A Broader Opportunity for Cambodia’s Tourism Industry
The development of a green tourism corridor could contribute to the diversification of Cambodia’s tourism industry. Eco tourism gives the country an opportunity to attract travellers looking for nature, adventure, culture and community experiences alongside traditional sightseeing.
Connecting Kampong Speu and Koh Kong through a broader tourism concept could also strengthen regional destination development. Instead of concentrating tourism activity around a small number of well known sites, a connected network of destinations could spread visitor activity across a wider geographical area.
This could be particularly valuable for local economies. When visitors stay longer and travel across multiple destinations, more businesses and communities have the potential to benefit from tourism spending. The success of such an approach, however, will depend on effective coordination, appropriate infrastructure, quality services and responsible environmental management.
Green Tourism Aligns With Cambodia’s Development Strategy
The initiative is directly aligned with the Environmental Sector Strategic Framework 2023 to 2028, providing a policy foundation for combining environmental protection with sustainable development.
It also supports the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1, placing the eco tourism initiative within Cambodia’s wider national development framework. This alignment gives the proposed green corridor a broader strategic role beyond tourism promotion alone.
The approach reflects an effort to connect economic development with environmental sustainability and community livelihoods. If implemented effectively, the Cardamom Mountains could become an important example of Cambodia’s ability to develop tourism while maintaining the natural resources that underpin the destination.
The Cardamoms Could Become a Stronger Eco Tourism Destination
The proposed development of eco tourism across Kampong Speu and Koh Kong represents an opportunity to build a more connected nature based tourism economy in Cambodia. The focus on forests, wildlife, waterfalls and indigenous cultural sites provides a broad foundation for creating distinctive visitor experiences.
The key challenge will be maintaining the right balance between attracting more visitors and protecting the environment. Eco tourism succeeds when tourism creates economic value without destroying the natural and cultural assets that make a destination special.
If Cambodia can successfully connect its eco tourism hubs, involve local communities and maintain strong conservation standards, the Cardamom Mountains could become a more prominent destination for sustainable travel. The bigger takeaway is that Cambodia’s next tourism opportunities may not only lie in its famous heritage sites, but also in the forests, communities and natural landscapes that remain among the country’s most valuable long term assets.