Cambodia Steps Up Child Safety Measures in Tourism Sector at Battambang Meeting

PHNOM PENH — Sept. 29, 2026: The Ministry of Tourism and the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism held a dissemination meeting on "Child Safety in the Tourism Sector" in Battambang province on Tuesday, as part of efforts to protect children from abuse and sexual exploitation and promote responsible tourism.

The meeting was held at the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism and presided over by H.E. Mrs. Huot Sinoun, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Child Safety in the Tourism Sector, representing Minister Huot Hak, alongside H.E. Chhay Mathinal, Deputy Governor of Battambang province in charge of tourism.

Participants included officials from the Ministry of Tourism, leaders and civil servants from the Provincial Department of Tourism, representatives of provincial departments and units, tourism police, youth from the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia in Battambang, and tourism operators.

The meeting aimed to raise awareness of child safety and the protection of children from abuse and sexual exploitation in tourism, and to promote ethics and child protection mechanisms to build a safe and responsible tourism environment.

Presentations and discussion covered a summary report on tourism and child safety work by Mr. Uch Oumphinissara, Director of the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism, and a presentation on "Tourism and Child Protection Mechanisms" by Mr. Putrea Sophannara, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism Professional Training at the Ministry of Tourism.

H.E. Chhay Mathinal highlighted tourism development projects in Battambang and urged the Provincial Department of Tourism, authorities and tourism operators to prioritise child safety with efficiency and high responsibility, so that Battambang becomes a safe and welcoming destination.

H.E. Mrs. Huot Sinoun said children are a vital human resource for national development. Under the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1, the Royal Government has designated "people" as a core priority, and the well-being, safety and development of children are essential to building Cambodia's future human capital.

She noted that the government considers children the nation's successors, in line with the sayings "children are the bamboo shoots that replace the bamboo" and "children are the pillars of the nation." The Ministry of Tourism, she said, consistently encourages and supports efforts to eliminate negative practices and enhance the attractiveness of the sector, in line with the slogans "tourism for all, all for tourism" and "every citizen is a promoter of Cambodian tourism."

The Ministry of Tourism has introduced two key measures for child protection and a safe tourism environment — educational and administrative measures — to prevent and curb negative issues and ensure Cambodia's tourism environment is safe, responsible and attractive.

Source: Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EsgVoTTsa/

Reported by The Khmer Today