Cambodia Investment Review
The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) has partnered with Art for Kep to introduce the coastal province to the international art community, anchored by the planned opening of Southeast Asia’s first underwater art museum later this year.
The partnership agreement was signed on August 7, 2026, at Knai Bang Chatt in Kep. It brings together Cambodia’s national tourism marketing body and Art for Kep to promote the province as a cultural and marine tourism destination, attract more international visitors and encourage travellers to extend their stays.
At the centre of the campaign is the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, an ambitious onshore and underwater cultural attraction combining contemporary art, marine conservation and visitor experiences.
Underwater Gallery to Become New International Art Attraction
The S.E.A. Ocean Gallery is being developed within a marine protection area off Kep’s coastline and is expected to become a distinctive new addition to Southeast Asia’s cultural tourism landscape.
Read More: Opinion: Art on the Seabed; The Reef That Pays for Itself
The project will comprise two main venues: an onshore exhibition and visitor centre at Kep West and Knai Bang Chatt, and an underwater gallery in the Koh Karang area, approximately 8.5 kilometres offshore.
The underwater site will feature 3D-printed marine sculptures installed on the seabed. Alongside their artistic purpose, the structures are designed to function as artificial reef habitats, supporting coral growth and providing shelter for marine life.
The concept is expected to appeal to international artists, collectors, cultural organisations and travellers interested in contemporary art, environmental conservation and experience-based tourism.
Visitors will be able to reach the underwater gallery by boat before accessing the site through diving or snorkelling. Details covering approved tour operators, permits and booking arrangements are expected to be announced closer to the official opening.
The gallery is scheduled to open around the end of 2026, although an exact launch date has not yet been confirmed. Biodiversity mapping and reef installations are planned throughout the year, with further development expected to continue into early 2027.
CTB Targets International Visitors and Longer Stays
Under the partnership, CTB will support the international promotion of Kep and the Ocean Gallery, targeting audiences outside Cambodia and positioning the province as an emerging destination for art, culture and marine tourism.
The initiative will also receive support through CTB’s Matching Grant Programme for Overseas Promotion of Events, which is designed to increase the international visibility of tourism-related projects and activities in Cambodia.
CTB Chief Executive Officer Kim Minea said the partnership would help showcase Kep’s cultural and natural assets to international travellers while supporting environmental protection and local economic development.
“Initiatives like this not only strengthen Cambodia’s international appeal but also generate lasting value for local communities through sustainable tourism and environmental conservation,” Kim Minea said.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to diversify Cambodia’s tourism offering beyond its best-known heritage attractions and develop new reasons for international visitors to explore the country’s coastal provinces.
CTB and Art for Kep aim to use the project to attract more visitors, increase the length of stays and generate greater tourism spending for hotels, restaurants, transport providers, tour operators and other local businesses.
Art and Conservation Combined
Art for Kep Chairperson Jef Moons said the initiative was designed to expand international perceptions of Kep by combining contemporary art with marine restoration.
The project is being developed by Art for Kep in collaboration with Knai Bang Chatt and Marine Conservation Cambodia. It is operating under the auspices of Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
Kep is already known for its seafood, particularly crab, alongside its islands, coastal scenery, mangrove ecosystems and ecotourism activities. It is one of Cambodia’s four coastal provinces and has been a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club since 2011.
New Opportunity for Kep’s Visitor Economy
For Kep’s tourism industry, the Ocean Gallery could provide a distinctive international marketing proposition by combining art, conservation and experiential travel within a single attraction.
The project could also create commercial opportunities for accommodation providers, restaurants, diving operators, boat services, cultural organisations and other tourism businesses operating across the province.
The partnership comes as Cambodia seeks to strengthen international tourism arrivals and encourage visitors to travel beyond the country’s traditional gateways.
By developing a marine attraction with regional significance and promoting it directly to the global art community, CTB hopes Kep can secure a larger share of international cultural and ecotourism demand while delivering more sustainable economic benefits to surrounding communities.
