Cambodia Tourism Ministry and Chinese Embassy Launch a Ten Day Training to Boost Chinese-Speaking Tour Guide Capacity for the Sustainable Health and Cultural Tourism Growth

Published on November 22, 2025

Through a collaboration aimed at improving health tourism and the standards of services for international visitors, Cambodia’s MoT and the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia have launched training for Chinese-speaking tour guides. Starting in Siem Reap on November 19, 2025, the 10-day course will provide the opportunity to learn about health and wellness tourism, along with cultural tourism, at an advanced level. Given the increasing attraction the country is gaining as a health tourism destination, this course presents one of the most important steps in preparing Cambodian professionals to cope with the expectations of international tourists, especially Chinese-speaking tourists.

Enhancing Cambodia’s Position in the Global Health and Wellness Tourism Market

This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Cambodia to become a leading destination for health and wellness tourism. With the increasing global trend of medical tourism, Cambodia has made significant strides in developing its medical infrastructure and wellness offerings, such as traditional treatments, spa services, and holistic health practices. By upgrading the human capital in tourism services, Cambodia is aligning its tourism strategy with global market trends, particularly in the booming Asian market.

Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana of Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism emphasized the importance of this collaboration, noting that enhancing the skill set of tour guides who can speak Chinese is crucial to addressing the increasing flow of Chinese tourists, who represent one of Cambodia’s largest and most lucrative visitor groups. The specialized training aims to bridge the language barrier, allowing Cambodian tour guides to effectively communicate and provide world-class services to Chinese-speaking visitors seeking health treatments and wellness experiences in Cambodia.

Strengthening Human Resources and Building Cultural Competency

The training course not only focuses on improving the language skills of Chinese-speaking tour guides but also equips them with essential knowledge about sustainable tourism and cultural etiquette. The course is structured to ensure that participants are well-versed in eco-tourism, tourism service ethics, and cross-cultural communication—skills that are critical when working with an international clientele. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethical standards and offering a high level of professionalism in the growing health tourism sector.

By incorporating cross-cultural communication into the training, the program helps Cambodian tour guides navigate the diverse cultural expectations of Chinese tourists, creating a seamless travel experience that strengthens cultural exchange between Cambodia and China. This focus on professional ethics and cultural sensitivity reflects Cambodia’s commitment to promoting a tourism experience that is not only economically profitable but also socially responsible and aligned with the principles of sustainable tourism.

Promoting Cambodia’s Rich Wellness Heritage to International Markets

One of Cambodia’s primary advantages in attracting health tourism is its cultural heritage, which includes centuries-old practices in herbal medicine, massage therapy, and spiritual healing. The country is home to a wealth of natural resources that can be integrated into wellness tourism offerings, such as natural hot springs, aromatherapy, and detox programs.

In addition to its health tourism potential, Cambodia’s rich cultural landscape provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore both wellness and cultural tourism. The training for Chinese-speaking tour guides plays a crucial role in making this blend of cultural immersion and health tourism more accessible to international tourists, particularly those from China, who are increasingly interested in traditional healing practices and natural wellness treatments.

The Role of Professional Development in Cambodia’s Tourism Growth

Minister You Sophea, Siem Reap Provincial Councillor, underscored the long-term significance of investing in human resources for Cambodia’s tourism growth. By equipping tour guides with advanced skills and knowledge, the Cambodian government is ensuring that the tourism sector is well-prepared to meet future demand and maintain high-quality service standards. This professional development directly supports the sustainability of Cambodia’s tourism industry, creating lasting career opportunities for local residents and building strong community involvement in the tourism sector.

Moreover, Cambodia’s increasing focus on wellness tourism is expected to contribute to the local economy by driving demand for tourism services, including accommodation, spas, restaurants, and transportation services, all of which will benefit from higher tourist spending and longer stays.

Tourism’s Economic Impact: A Pathway to Sustainable Growth

Tourism in Cambodia has been growing steadily over the past decade, with health tourism becoming an increasingly important segment of the market. According to recent statistics, tourism is expected to contribute significantly to Cambodia’s GDP, particularly through the wellness and medical tourism sectors. By positioning Cambodia as a leading destination for medical tourism and wellness retreats, the country stands to gain significant economic benefits, not only from direct spending but also from long-term investments in the tourism infrastructure.

The success of initiatives like the Chinese-speaking tour guides training program is expected to have a multiplier effect, drawing more international tourists to Cambodia, enhancing its reputation as a world-class destination for wellness and medical tourism, and contributing to the sustainable development of the tourism industry.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Cambodia’s Health Tourism Sector

With continuous development, Cambodia can position itself as a global leader in this fast-growing sector of health and wellness tourism. Ongoing collaboration by the Ministry of Tourism and the Health Ministry, along with efforts to enhance competency among tour guides, will help position Cambodia as a leading destination for medical treatments, holistic wellness experiences, and cultural tourism.

With its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and increasing medical infrastructure, Cambodia has the potential to attract more international health tourists in the coming years. In building a name for itself in the global wellness tourism market, it will further contribute to a more sustainable and economically viable tourism industry that offers long-term opportunities both at the local community and tourism stakeholder levels.