TUI Futureshapers Cambodia
The city of Siem Reap is at the heart of Cambodia’s tourism economy and the Angkor Wat temple complex is one of its main tourist attractions. Tourism plays a major role in the national economy and provides income and employment for 1.1 million local people. The sector is dominated by micro, small, and medium enterprises, which represent almost all tourism businesses, with women owning more than half of them and making up most of the workforce. Despite this importance, many tourism businesses face limits to growth due to low digital adoption, weak product diversification, skills gaps, and limited access to finance.
TUI Futureshapers Cambodia responds to these challenges by strengthening tourism enterprises in Siem Reap. The project empowers local entrepreneurs by improving business skills, supporting innovation, and opening pathways to finance. Over time, this approach supports a more resilient and inclusive tourism sector.
TUI Futureshapers Cambodia strengthens the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of Cambodia’s tourism sector. Focusing on Siem Reap, it mobilises combined expertise, partnerships and investment to drive inclusive economic growth aligned with national development priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
At the core of the initiative is a Sustainable Tourism Accelerator programme designed to build more competitive and resilient tourism enterprises. The programme supports at least 80 growth-stage tourism SMEs and startups across key sub-sectors, including accommodation, transport, food and beverage, retail, tours, culture, and digital travel services. Participating businesses receive tailored technical assistance and structured capacity development to strengthen digital capabilities, operational efficiency, innovation and the adoption of sustainable business practices. At least 160 entrepreneurs and staff benefit from targeted training that enhances business management, ESG integration, risk awareness, and long-term enterprise resilience, aligned with ASEAN and global tourism competitiveness frameworks.
To improve financial resilience and address persistent financing gaps, the project provides investment readiness support to at least 15 high-potential enterprises emerging from the accelerator. Through intensive one-to-one advisory services, these businesses strengthen their financial management, and business models and develop resilient capital strategies. The project aims to enable at least five enterprises to secure funding through blended finance solutions – including debt, equity, guarantees, and impact investment – supporting more resilient business growth and a stronger tourism finance ecosystem.
TUI Futureshapers Cambodia also advances destination resilience and diversification by promoting Cambodia as a sustainable tourism destination beyond Angkor Wat. Through bootcamps, innovation challenges and ecosystem events, the initiative engages at least 100 youth, innovators, influencers, and community stakeholders and encourage new tourism ideas beyond traditional attractions. Together, these actions strengthen links between businesses, investors, and the wider tourism ecosystem to build a more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient tourism ecosystem.
Project Partners
Target 8.9 is a global development platform dedicated to transforming tourism into a driver of inclusive economic growth, decent work, and sustainable development. Rooted in the principles of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 8.9, we empower communities, support small businesses, and promote policies and practices that protect local culture and regenerate economies. Through innovative partnerships, technical expertise, and flexible financing, we reimagine tourism as a force for good—serving people, planet, and prosperity.
As a service provider with worldwide operations in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, GIZ works with its partners to develop effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions. GIZ is a public-benefit federal enterprise and supports the German Government and a host of public and private sector clients in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment promotion, energy and the environment, and peace and security.
