Soksabike Tours
Soksabike Tours: Community-Based Cycling Tourism in Cambodia
Factbox
Location
Battambang, Cambodia
Grant Period
Sep 2016 - Aug 2017
Grant Amount
USD 7,000
Beneficiaries
20 staff, 18 families
Focus Area
Overview
Soksabike Tours trains young Cambodians as bicycle tour guides while introducing visitors to authentic rural life in Battambang. Through community-based cycling tours, the social enterprise creates employment opportunities for local youth and helps rural families earn income from responsible tourism.
Impact At A Glance
- Employment created for local university graduates as cycling tour guides in Battambang
- 20 families supported across four bicycle tour routes
- A growing team of 20 staff members including trained local guides
- Visitor numbers increased by more than 35% in a single year
The Challenge
Young Cambodians outside major cities face limited job opportunities despite the country’s growing tourism industry.
Cambodia’s economic growth is concentrated largely in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the latter serving as the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park. While tourism continues to expand, most employment opportunities remain centred in these major urban hubs.
For graduates in smaller cities such as Battambang, finding meaningful work can be difficult. Many young people are forced to migrate to larger cities or neighbouring countries in search of employment, widening the economic gap between urban and rural communities. Without new opportunities in smaller towns, the imbalance between urban development and rural livelihoods continues to grow.
The Solution
Soksabike Tours creates meaningful employment for young Cambodians through community-based cycling tourism.
Founded in 2010 in Battambang, Soksabike trains local youth to become bicycle tour guides who introduce visitors to the region’s rural landscapes, culture, and everyday life. The tours provide travellers with a deeper understanding of Cambodia beyond its well-known tourist attractions while generating income for local families along the cycling routes.
Starting with modest funding from two crowdfunding campaigns, the initiative has grown steadily into a social enterprise employing a team of trained guides and supporting multiple families through tourism activities. By focusing on cultural exchange and responsible tourism, Soksabike ensures that visitors’ experiences contribute positively to local communities.
The Grant with AirAsia Foundation
AirAsia Foundation’s grant supports Soksabike in expanding its cycling tourism programmes and training more local guides.
- Develop new walking and cycling routes focused on Battambang’s Buddhist art heritage and French colonial architecture
- Enhance guide training with first aid certification and study visits to other sustainable tourism initiatives
- Launch new marketing campaigns across online and offline channels
- Repair and upgrade the bicycle fleet, including safety helmets and lighting equipment
These initiatives aim to increase visitor numbers, raise incomes for participating households, and create additional training and employment opportunities for young graduates.
Gallery
The Organisation
Soksabike Tours
Soksabike was established in 2010 by the local initiative Kinyei to provide practical training and employment for young Cambodians in responsible tourism and hospitality. The enterprise recruits local university graduates and equips them with the skills to manage tours, engage with international visitors, and operate the business sustainably. Its cycling tours focus on educating visitors about rural Cambodian life while ensuring tourism benefits local communities.
Team Leader
Makara Chea
Makara Chea serves as the Lead Guide for Soksabike Tours. An English Literature student at Build Bright University, he works part-time as a guide while continuing his studies. Originally from the village of Takoy, Makara now lives at Battambang’s historic Wat Povil temple and shares insights into Cambodian culture and rural life with visitors participating in the tours.
Social Enterprise
