Tourism & Initiative: A new creative map designed for all types of visitors to Cambodia

Meeting at the restaurant Topaz with two young French people, Hélène and Sébastien, who have the ambition to create a new creative and technological menu designed for all types of visitors to Cambodia, from the most traditional to the youngest, and from all walks of life.

On this occasion, Hélène answers questions from Cambodge Mag about this initiative.

Tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to take this initiative

Growing up in Phnom Penh, I have always been passionate about cultural exchange and storytelling. After graduating with a law degree from the Sorbonne University, a road trip through Central America sparked a deeper calling within me: to build bridges between cultures through meaningful projects.

In 2024, I was selected from only 30 young people worldwide to participate in the UNESCO World Heritage Youth Forum in New Delhi, in recognition of my commitment to cultural preservation and global dialogue.

Explain your approach to Cambodia

I am convinced that marketing can be a powerful driver of positive change, especially in Cambodia, a country with untapped potential and a promising future. Having grown up in the Kingdom, I returned for the first time in 2024 with my family. During our visit, I found it quite difficult to quickly discover the city's best attractions, fashion brands or souvenir shops.

As visitors to Phnom Penh usually only stay for two or three days, I felt the need to find a solution to this problem. That's why, to address this challenge I faced personally, we are launching this new map project, combining creativity and technology, in collaboration with my friend and partner, Sébastien.

Tell us a little about the design of the project.

The project is designed in three parts:

The physical map: a mix between a classic map and a magazine, simple and effective, with essential information and an easy-to-read design. It encourages visitors to interact with the map and scan the QR code to access additional digital content.
The online map: no app download is required, it opens instantly in the user's language. It offers a selection of must-see places, their geolocation, links to book and an integrated AI chatbot that provides recommendations and instant answers. Our vision: to become the next-generation digital travel guide, a modern and intelligent alternative to Lonely Planet or the Guide du Routard.
With over 14,800 followers on Instagram (@themap_cambodia) and a growing presence on TikTok, we actively showcase Cambodia's creative, entrepreneurial and cultural revival. Through high-quality content, we promote the country's best restaurants, brands and hidden gems, reaching an international audience eager for authentic and original travel experiences.

A new creative map designed for all types of visitors to Cambodia

Our goal is to promote both our partners and Cambodia as a whole! Ultimately, we want visitors to leave Phnom Penh wanting to come back, share their experiences, and spread the word about Cambodia as an incredible destination, a place that truly invites them to return!

We are pleased to announce that we already have partners such as Grab, who are helping us optimise the user experience.

About Sébastien

Sébastien Lacan is a French entrepreneur and engineer, a graduate of EPFL in Switzerland, with solid experience in emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain and digital design.

Passionate about simplifying and humanising innovation, he sees technology as a tool for fostering connections in the real world, not just a means of automation.

He discovered Cambodia on a solo trip seven years ago and was immediately captivated by the energy and creativity of the region. Already familiar with Asia, this experience deeply influenced his vision.

Today, Sébastien is committed to building bridges between the digital and physical worlds to develop tools that enhance the travel experience and the way people interact with places and stories.