Cambodia showcased its cultural heritage, traditional arts, cuisine and hospitality to around 700 national and international guests at the Wat Phnom Fair, held alongside the GX Summit 2026 in Phnom Penh.
The event was presided over by Tourism Minister Huot Hak and Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng and was organised by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with G Adventures, the global adventure travel company hosting the GX Summit in Cambodia.
Wat Phnom becomes a cultural showcase
The Wat Phnom Fair was designed to give international visitors a direct experience of Cambodian culture, civilisation, traditions and national identity.
The programme featured a combination of traditional and contemporary visitor experiences, including:
- Traditional art performances
- Folk games
- Khmer traditional costumes
- Cultural dances
- Khmer cuisine
- Traditional cultural activities
Together, the activities provided visitors with an opportunity to experience Cambodian heritage beyond the country's well-known archaeological attractions.
The event welcomed approximately 700 national and international guests, providing an international audience for Cambodia's cultural presentation.
GX Summit brings international tourism industry attention
The Wat Phnom Fair formed part of the wider GX Summit 2026, which is running from September 23 to 28.
The Ministry of Tourism organised the fair together with G Adventures, which selected Cambodia to host this year's GX Summit.
The annual GX Summit is organised by G Adventures and focuses on celebrating and advancing community-based tourism.
The selection of Cambodia as the host provides an opportunity to present the country's tourism products and destinations directly to international tourism professionals and other participants attending the summit.
Cambodia promotes tourism beyond Angkor Wat
While Angkor Wat and the archaeological sites of Siem Reap remain central to Cambodia's international tourism identity, the country has a broader range of cultural and experiential attractions.
The Ministry of Tourism highlighted the country's hospitality and friendliness, commonly associated with the concept of the “Khmer Smile”, alongside its cuisine, arts, culture, traditions and longstanding customs.
The Wat Phnom Fair therefore served as a platform to present Cambodia through a broader tourism narrative based not only on heritage monuments but also on living culture and visitor experiences.
G Adventures highlights cultural and natural tourism potential
G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip said Cambodia has strong potential for cultural tourism as well as significant natural tourism resources.
He said the country's cultural and natural assets make Cambodia an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Poon Tip also reaffirmed G Adventures' commitment to promoting Cambodia as an international tourism destination and said the event would help showcase the country's tourism potential to the world.
Tourism Minister highlights Cambodia’s tourism environment
Tourism Minister Huot Hak welcomed G Adventures' decision to hold the GX Summit 2026 in Cambodia and described the event as important for the country's tourism sector.
He said Cambodia's peace, political stability, security and public order have created what he described as a safe and welcoming environment for domestic and international tourists.
The comments underline the government's effort to use international tourism events to reinforce Cambodia's destination positioning and introduce visitors to a wider range of tourism experiences.
Community based tourism remains part of the GX Summit focus
The GX Summit's emphasis on community-based tourism adds another dimension to the Wat Phnom Fair.
Community-based tourism connects visitors with local communities, culture and traditions while creating opportunities for local participation in tourism activities.
The fair's focus on traditional performances, folk games, costumes, food and cultural experiences is consistent with the broader objective of presenting tourism as an experience connected to Cambodian communities and cultural identity.
Angkor Times Analysis
The Wat Phnom Fair demonstrates how Cambodia is increasingly using cultural experiences alongside heritage attractions to promote the country's tourism identity.
For decades, Angkor Wat has been the strongest international symbol of Cambodian tourism. However, a broader tourism proposition can include Phnom Penh's cultural sites, traditional performances, cuisine, community experiences, natural destinations and other forms of living heritage.
Holding the event during the GX Summit also gives Cambodia access to an audience connected to the international adventure travel industry.
The reported participation of around 700 national and international guests provides a direct platform for Cambodia to demonstrate its culture and hospitality rather than promoting the destination solely through conventional marketing materials.
The role of G Adventures is also relevant. The company is focused on community-based tourism, and its decision to host the GX Summit in Cambodia provides an opportunity to connect international tourism professionals and visitors with Cambodia's cultural and natural tourism offerings.
However, the source does not provide specific figures for additional tourist arrivals, bookings, tourism revenue or investment generated by the Wat Phnom Fair or GX Summit.
The immediate value of the event, therefore, is primarily destination exposure, cultural promotion and industry engagement. Measuring its longer-term tourism impact would require data on visitor conversions, travel bookings, spending and repeat visits.
Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Wat Phnom Fair |
| Location | Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh |
| Date | September 23, 2026 |
| Guests | About 700 national and international guests |
| Main organiser | Ministry of Tourism |
| Partner | G Adventures |
| Related event | GX Summit 2026 |
| GX Summit dates | September 23-28, 2026 |
| Main focus | Cambodian culture, traditions, hospitality and tourism |
| Cultural activities | Traditional arts, folk games, costumes, dances and Khmer cuisine |
| Tourism themes | Cultural tourism, natural tourism and community-based tourism |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wat Phnom Fair?
The Wat Phnom Fair is a cultural tourism event organised to showcase Cambodia's culture, traditions, national identity, cuisine and hospitality to domestic and international visitors.
When was the Wat Phnom Fair held?
The event was held at Wat Phnom in Phnom Penh on September 23, 2026.
How many people attended?
Approximately 700 national and international guests attended the event, according to the source.
What activities were featured?
The programme included traditional art performances, folk games, Khmer traditional costumes, cultural dances and Khmer cuisine.
What is the GX Summit?
The GX Summit is an annual global gathering organised by G Adventures that focuses on celebrating and advancing community-based tourism. The 2026 summit is being held in Cambodia from September 23 to 28.
Why is the event important for Cambodia's tourism sector?
The event provides an opportunity to showcase Cambodia's cultural and natural tourism potential to an international audience, particularly tourism industry participants attending the GX Summit.
What tourism products is Cambodia promoting?
Beyond heritage tourism, Cambodia is highlighting cultural experiences, cuisine, traditional arts, community-based tourism and natural tourism resources.
Did the Wat Phnom Fair generate a specific tourism investment or visitor target?
The source does not report a specific investment amount, visitor target or tourism revenue generated by the event.