PHNOM PENH – Malaysia sees Cambodia as an important tourism market with huge potential as better air links boost travel between the countries, Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn says.

The ambassador spoke on Feb. 6 to tour agents, buyers and media personnel who attended the ASEAN Travel Forum last month.

He said tourism is an important sector that generates revenue for both countries.

He said weekly flights had reached 48 with a total seat capacity of more than 8,000. Tourism also provided chances to visit other countries to foster friendship, learn from one another and understand and respect their history and culture.

“It enhances people-to-people interaction and people-to-people exchange within the context of further strengthening relations between two countries,” he said.

“We see Cambodia as important market with huge potential. We hope to realize and capitalize on this potential,” he said, adding Cambodia and Malaysia​ should build on the increased flights to promote each other’s country as a tourist destination and tourism products

He said tourism had extended beyond its traditional scope to areas such as cultural tourism, healthcare tourism, food tourism and sports.

As Malaysia launched its “Visit Malaysia 2026” campaign, the ambassador urged Cambodians, whom Malaysia regarded as a strategic partner, and all Malaysian businesses and the community to jointly promote the campaign.

The ambassador also unveiled mascots for the embassy’s Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign depicting Malaysia sun bear.

Last year, 54,000 Cambodians visited Malaysia as air connectivity significantly improved. Air Asia, AirAsia Cambodia, Cambodia Airways and Malaysia Airlines fly directly between Kuala Lumpur and Cambodia’s main tourism destinations such as Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces and Phnom Penh.

In 2024, Cambodia received 6.7 million foreign tourists. In the same period, 59,714 Malaysians visited Cambodia.