Cambodia is turning its local cuisine into a new digital tourism tool through a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and telecommunications operator Metfone. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Phnom Penh on September 8, 2026, launching the “My Village, My Food” campaign to showcase distinctive dishes and tourism destinations across seven Cambodian provinces.
“Cambodia is putting local food at the centre of a new tourism promotion campaign that connects culinary heritage with destinations across the country. Through the “My Village, My Food” partnership, the Ministry of Tourism and Metfone have produced seven short videos highlighting signature dishes from seven provinces. Their release across government, corporate and influencer social media channels is designed to reach audiences where they increasingly discover travel ideas. Beyond promoting individual dishes, the campaign gives local destinations a stronger story to tell by connecting food with culture, communities and places. For tourism businesses, the initiative also highlights the commercial potential of culinary tourism, while showing how digital storytelling can help bring Cambodia’s provincial attractions to a wider domestic and international audience.”
Seven Provinces Featured in the New Campaign
The “My Village, My Food” campaign will spotlight signature local dishes from Kampot, Kep, Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat and Takeo. Each location brings its own culinary identity and tourism appeal, allowing the campaign to present Cambodia as a collection of diverse local experiences rather than a destination centred on only a few major attractions.
The seven short videos are scheduled for progressive release through October 2026. They will appear on the social media platforms of the Ministry of Tourism, provincial tourism departments, Metfone and participating content creators, giving the campaign multiple distribution channels and the opportunity to reach different audiences.
Food Becomes a Digital Tourism Story
The partnership was formally established through an MoU signed on September 8 by Tourism Minister Huot Hak and Metfone Chief Executive Officer Cao Manh Duc. The collaboration brings together the government’s tourism promotion role with a telecommunications company’s digital reach and technology capabilities.
For Cambodia’s tourism industry, the approach is significant because food can give travellers a more personal connection to a destination. A local dish can introduce viewers to a province, its people and its culture before they ever arrive. Earlier reporting on the initiative also described the project as a travel and food video series designed to showcase Cambodia’s culinary heritage and tourism potential through digital platforms.
A New Opportunity for Local Tourism Businesses
The campaign could also help create greater visibility for businesses connected to Cambodia’s food and tourism sectors. Restaurants, food producers, tour operators, hotels, markets and community tourism operators can all benefit when a local destination becomes more widely recognised.
By linking dishes with specific provinces, the campaign has the potential to encourage travellers to explore beyond Cambodia’s best known attractions. For entrepreneurs and tourism businesses, this creates an opportunity to build experiences around food, including local dining, cooking activities, cultural visits and provincial travel.
Digital Reach Could Bring Cambodia’s Food Heritage Further
Tourism Minister Huot Hak expressed appreciation for Metfone’s technology driven initiative and its contribution to promoting Khmer culinary identity and Cambodia’s tourism potential. He also emphasised that the two parties intend to strengthen and expand their partnership through new areas of cooperation that are closer, more effective and results oriented.
The focus on social media and influencer distribution reflects the changing way travellers discover destinations. Instead of relying only on traditional advertising, Cambodia is using short form video to show potential visitors what they could experience in different parts of the country. The wider campaign therefore connects tourism promotion with digital communication and local cultural storytelling.
Culinary Tourism Could Strengthen Provincial Destinations
The “My Village, My Food” campaign demonstrates the potential of culinary tourism as a tool for spreading tourism activity across Cambodia. When food is connected directly to a location, visitors have another reason to travel beyond the country’s most established tourist centres.
For provincial businesses, stronger visibility can create opportunities to attract new customers and develop tourism products around local cuisine. The longer term value will depend on whether digital exposure is followed by actual visits, stronger local tourism services and experiences that meet visitor expectations.
Cambodia Links Food, Technology and Tourism
The partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and Metfone shows how public and private sector cooperation can support destination marketing. It combines government tourism promotion with digital technology and social media distribution to tell stories about Cambodia’s culinary heritage.
The campaign also points to a broader direction for Cambodia’s tourism industry. As destinations compete for attention online, authentic local stories can become valuable tourism assets. Food offers a natural connection between culture, communities and travel, making it a powerful way to introduce visitors to places they may not previously have considered.
Conclusion
The “My Village, My Food” campaign puts Cambodia’s local cuisine at the centre of a nationwide tourism promotion effort, with seven provinces featured through short digital videos. By distributing the content through government channels, Metfone and influencers, the campaign aims to reach both domestic and international audiences while strengthening awareness of Cambodia’s culinary heritage.
For the tourism industry, the initiative offers a clear reminder that Cambodia’s appeal extends far beyond its famous landmarks. Local food, provincial communities and authentic cultural experiences can all become powerful reasons to travel. If digital storytelling successfully turns online interest into real visits, the campaign could help bring greater attention and economic opportunities to destinations and businesses across Cambodia.