Cambodia Tourism Board has partnered with Art for Kep to promote Kep as a cultural and marine tourism destination and raise international awareness of the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, Southeast Asia’s first underwater art museum, set to open later this year
Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) has teamed up with Art for Kep to promote the coastal town as a cultural and marine tourism destination while raising international awareness of the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, Southeast Asia’s first underwater art museum.
The partnership agreement was signed on August 7 at Knai Bang Chatt in Kep, bringing together the national tourism authority and Art for Kep in a joint effort to attract more international visitors to Cambodia’s coastal provinces.
Under the agreement, CTB will support the international promotion of Kep and the Ocean Gallery, target audiences outside Cambodia and position the area as a destination for culture and marine tourism.
Kep is a province known for its seafood, particularly its crab, as well as its coastal landscapes, islands, mangrove ecosystems and eco-tourism opportunities. The province is also part of Cambodia’s four coastal provinces and has been a member of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club since 2011.
The S.E.A. Ocean Gallery is being developed off the coast of Kep within a marine protection area. Its underwater sculptures will be placed on the seabed, where they are designed to support the growth of living reefs and provide habitat for marine life.
The project is being developed by Art for Kep in partnership with Knai Bang Chatt and Marine Conservation Cambodia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
Kim Minea, CEO of CTB, said the partnership will help showcase Kep’s natural and cultural attractions to international travellers while supporting marine conservation.
“Initiatives like this not only strengthen Cambodia’s international appeal but also generate lasting value for local communities through sustainable tourism and environmental conservation,” he added.
Jef Moons, Chairperson of Art for Kep, said the project aims to highlight Kep beyond its coastline by combining contemporary art with marine restoration.
The Ocean Gallery will comprise two venues: an onshore exhibition and visitor centre at Kep West and Knai Bang Chatt, and an underwater gallery located in the Koh Karang area, about 8.5 kilometres offshore. The underwater site will feature 3D-printed marine sculptures designed to function as artificial reef habitats.
The Ocean Gallery is scheduled to officially open around the end of the year, although the exact date has not yet been announced. Biodiversity mapping and reef-structure installations are planned throughout 2026, with further site development continuing into early 2027.
Once it opens, visitors will be able to access the underwater gallery by boat then diving or snorkeling, with information about approved operators, permits and bookings expected to be announced closer to the opening date.
Through the partnership and CTB’s Matching Grant Programme For Overseas Promotion of Events, the organisation aims to boost Kep’s international profile, attract more visitors, encourage longer stays, and support sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
Source&Photo Credit: Kiri Post
