AKP Phnom Penh, January 15, 2025 --

Ministry of Information and Ministry of Tourism are joining hands to counter fake news and promote tourism in the country, aiming to protect the honour, reputation, image and national interest of Cambodia.

Speaking at a gathering on “Tourism Promotion and Anti-Fake News,” organised at the Ministry of Information this morning, H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, said this commitment will further enhance the tourism sector and appealed to all media practitioners, especially social media influencers, to promote Cambodia’s real situation and tourism potential.

"After gaining full peace in the past more than 26 years, we all should work together to promote tourism. Before, we entered the forest (to join resistance movement), but now with peace, we enter the forest to explore rich natural resources with camera and tents," he said.

Regarding fake news, H.E. Minister of Information noticed that from 2023 to 2024, the number of fake news tracked particularly on social media saw an increase by more than 400 cases, from 3,208 to 3,651 cases.

H.E. Neth Pheaktra urged more attention to fake news, which would harm political atmosphere, national security, economy, and reputation.

For his part, H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, said tourism is one of the key drivers to ensure the national economic growth.

H.E. Minister called on all media practitioners to further promote the positive information about tourism in the Kingdom, including temples, foods, beaches, etc.

H.E. Huot Hak said Cambodia needs to attract more foreign visitors and boost local tourism, therefore media practitioners play an important role on this commitment.

Last year, Cambodia welcomed a total of 6,7 million foreign visitors up 1.4 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period in 2019, and up 22.9 percent compared to 2023, pointed out the tourism minister.

By Heng Panha