We're locally owned!!
Kanha, and Phalla - Soksabike's new owners
A New Chapter Begins: Soksabike Transitions to Local Ownership!
We're absolutely thrilled to share some monumental news: this month marks a pivotal moment in Soksabike's journey as we proudly hand over the reins to our dedicated local management team, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the company.
Looking back nearly ten years to our beginnings in Battambang, we were deeply inspired by the ambition and drive of the young Cambodians we encountered. Many were the first in their families to pursue higher education, brimming with potential but facing limited opportunities for professional growth and part-time work during their university years. We recognized a gap: while Cambodia's popularity as a travel destination was growing, the benefits weren't always reaching local communities equitably.
It was with this in mind that we founded Soksabike in 2010 – a small, grassroots initiative with a big vision: to empower local youth through training and development while championing responsible tourism practices.
Over the past decade, we've been incredibly proud to have trained over 40 talented local individuals and shared the beauty and culture of Cambodia with 8,787 guests on meaningful journeys into the countryside. We've also been honored to receive two international accolades recognizing our commitment to responsible tourism. Together with countless other like-minded businesses, we've contributed to the growing movement of sustainable tourism, offering travelers unique and enriching experiences while directly supporting the communities they visit.
And now, we're overjoyed to announce the realization of a long-held aspiration: Soksabike is transitioning to majority local ownership! We are incredibly excited to pass the torch to two of our long-standing and deeply valued team members – Kanha Sam and Phalla Chhoy – who will lead Soksabike into its next exciting phase.
Kanha
Kanha Sam and Phalla Chhoy are not just taking over Soksabike; they are the natural evolution of our vision. Their unwavering dedication to Soksabike over the past 4-5 years has been truly inspiring. During this time, they have proactively sought out opportunities to expand their skills in crucial areas such as business operations, equipment management, and leadership. This commitment to continuous growth has made them the ideal candidates to take on this exciting challenge.
Leading the way as the new Managing Director of Soksabike will be Kanha Sam. Her journey over the past six months has been particularly remarkable. Recognizing the importance of strong leadership, Kanha dedicated herself to an intensive course at She Investments in Phnom Penh. The commitment required – the regular bus journeys between Battambang and Phnom Penh, alongside her existing responsibilities – speaks volumes about her drive and ambition. This extra effort has equipped Kanha with the advanced management and leadership skills necessary to steer Soksabike towards a bright future.
Phalla
Alongside Kanha, Phalla Chhoy will be stepping into a key leadership role, bringing with him five years of dedicated service to Soksabike. Having joined the team around the same time as Kanha, their established partnership and collaborative spirit will be a driving force in ensuring Soksabike's continued success and sustainability. As the new owners, their shared priority is to build upon Soksabike's impactful initiatives, particularly those focused on providing opportunities for young people in Battambang. Phalla is particularly passionate about the positive impact Soksabike has had on his own life and is eager to guide its future with this same commitment.
Phalla will be taking on the vital role of Guide Training and Maintenance Supervisor. His extensive experience as a guide, combined with his natural talent for mentorship, makes him the perfect fit for this position, which is central to maintaining the high standards of Soksabike's responsible tourism ethos.
The team is already hitting the ground running with exciting developments on the horizon. Kanha has been selected as a shortlisted applicant for the MIST tourism startup accelerator program in Vietnam, while Phalla will be leading an upcoming visit from the AirAsia Foundation, who will be filming a feature on Soksabike for their "Red Talks with Daphne" series.
We, Mel and Katie, the co-founders of Soksabike, are absolutely thrilled and full of anticipation for this next chapter. We have immense confidence in Kanha and Phalla's ability to lead Soksabike to even greater achievements under their local ownership.
