Cambodia tackles unlicensed massage sector

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has admitted gaps in quality control across the country’s unlicensed massage industry, pledging to bring informal operators into the formal economy in an effort to protect tourists and raise service standards.

Hun Dany, the ministry’s spokesperson, said on Monday that while 511 massage shops are officially licensed nationwide, many more operate informally without oversight.

Responsibility for licensing smaller shops with fewer than ten beds has now been decentralised to local authorities, who are seen as better placed to monitor neighbourhood businesses.

“The biggest hurdle is strengthening the quality of tourism services,” Dany explained, noting that unlicensed operations remain difficult to regulate.

The issue came into sharp focus last month when a Japanese couple reported losing 20,000 yen (around $125) at an unlicensed massage shop in Phnom Penh. Authorities later confirmed the business was not registered and said the case underscored the need for stricter enforcement. The owner reportedly fled and is now being sought for legal action.

Tourism industry leaders have welcomed the government’s move. Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, described the decentralisation of licensing as “a very practical step” that could improve oversight and help small businesses succeed. She acknowledged receiving complaints from foreign visitors about inconsistent standards, adding: “For a tourist, a massage is a moment of relaxation and trust. If that trust is broken, it affects their overall impression of their holiday.”

Sivlin stressed that unlicensed shops pose risks not only to tourists but also to Cambodia’s reputation as a destination. She argued that registration would provide an “official seal of approval” on hygiene and quality, while ensuring that complaints can be handled professionally.

The ministry insists that most problems arise in businesses outside its licensing system, but says the wider effort to formalise the sector is essential. With tourism a vital part of Cambodia’s economy, officials hope the reforms will reassure visitors and support the 511 licensed operators already meeting standards.

-2026-05-13