Responsible tourism is a conscious choice to make a positive impact on the places you visit. Being an aware traveller means protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and preserving the cultural soul of a place. In Cambodia, this philosophy is taking root and, while Siem Reap and Phnom Penh shine with global spotlights, Battambang is quietly blossoming. This province, known for its gastronomy, architecture and lovely countryside, is Cambodia’s artistic and cultural hub. Now officially recognised as a UNESCO Creative City, Battambang is gaining well-deserved attention for its cultural life and artistic innovation.

Phare Ponleu Selpak: Lighting the Way Through the Arts

At the heart of Battamabang’s art scene is Phare Ponleu Selpak, meaning “The Brightness of the Arts”, in Khmer. It was founded in 1994 by young Cambodians and their art teacher who returned from refugee camps after the war. Phare Ponleu Selpak began as a place to heal through arts and education. What started with a few sketchbooks and circus supplies has evolved into a thriving non-profit arts and education center—offering free education, arts training and social services to vulnerable children and their families.

Keeping Culture Alive Through the Arts

Phare Ponleu Selpak is committed to safeguarding Khmer culture and traditions by passing them to younger Cambodian generations and sharing them with international visitors. Travelers visiting the province can explore our colorful murals throughout Battambang’s streets, visit our on-campus art exhibition, and attend the circus and traditional dance performances. It is important for us to ensure that our shows are accessible to everyone—through ticket pricing for Cambodian people based on income. Phare Ponleu Selpak is both a guardian of tradition and a platform for contemporary artistic expression.

Empowering the Local Community Through the Arts

Phare Ponleu Selpak’s mission is deeply rooted in supporting Battamabang’s community. Every program is designed to uplift: from free art education for the youth to financial support to vulnerable families. Phare hires locally—97% of our staff is Cambodian—and promotes jobs in the arts industry through our social enterprises, Phare Creative Studio in Battambang and Phare Circus in Siem Reap. We also offer Cambodian artists’ products in our on-campus boutique—each purchase directly supports them, with 40% of the profits going to the creator and 60% reinvested into the school’s programs. Beyond our campus, we extend our support through initiatives like the mobile library, which brings books and creative activities to children in remote areas every week. All of our programs are purposefully crafted to drive meaningful change from within the Battambang community.

A Cultural Engine in Battambang’s Tourism Economy

Phare Ponleu Selpak has become a must-see attraction for travellers to Battambang. Discovering our campus and shows supports family businesses around the school, tuk-tuk drivers and tour guides—creating a vibrant ecosystem that benefits the local community.

As part of its mission, Phare Ponleu Selpak organizes a major cultural festival every year—alternating between the S’Art Urban Art Festival and the Tini-Tinou International Circus Festival—aiming to make culture accessible to everyone by bringing it to the streets. These major events attract both local and international visitors, fostering cultural exchange, and positioning Battambang as a shining example of a culturally vibrant destination.

Phare Ponleu Selpak: A Place Where Creativity Meets Sustainability

Our vision of responsible tourism embraces both people and the planet. On campus, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a daily commitment. We reduce waste by enforcing a no single-use plastics policy for both students and staff and by encouraging visitors to bring their own water bottle—which can be refilled for free at our cafe. We encourage our students to bike to school and to transform plastic waste into creative artworks and vibrant campus decorations. Finally, we emphasize recycling through clearly marked bins across the campus and awareness initiatives for students. These small—yet meaningful—actions reflect our belief that social and environmental efforts must go hand in hand.

• If you are visiting Battambang, there are many ways to get involved. Attend our circus and traditional dance show or book one of our campus tours—and enjoy access to our art exhibitions while you are there ! Travelling in a group? Join one of our creative workshops—learn circus skills, discover Khmer traditional music, or express yourself through painting.

• Before you leave the campus, don’t forget to stop by our boutique, where every purchase directly supports our artists and programs. We also gratefully accept donations of cash, food, clothing, school supplies, or hygiene items. All donations are collected by our staff and thoughtfully distributed to the children and families who need them most.

• If you are not in Battambang, you can still make a difference by joining our Sponsor a Child Program. Your monthly donation would help provide meals, school supplies, medical care, counseling and other needed assistance to our students. Do you have free time and skills to share? Consider volunteering, whether for a short visit or a longer stay. Our team will warmly welcome your support.

Zoe García is a French and Spanish student currently interning with the communications and human resources teams. Passionate about photography, she also enjoys exploring Cambodia’s rich culture and gastronomy. After completing her degree, she hopes to promote inclusion through the arts in her home region of Andalusia, Spain.