Key Siem Reap tourism plan to be unveiled

Remembering the pull of travel: From January to July, Cambodia received 112,544 international visitors. — The Phnom Penh Post/ANN

A MODEST and gradual upshift in tourism metrics is expected for Siem Reap after the Ministry of Tourism announces the implementation of a crucial 15-year road map for the provincial industry at a virtual ceremony planned for this week.

The launch ceremony for the 2021-2035 Siem Reap provincial tourism development master plan will be presided over by Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, the tourism ministry said. The plan was approved by the government on March 30.

On April 1, the tourism ministry said that through the strategies put forth by this and supplementary instruments, Siem Reap could attract 10.9 million domestic tourists by 2023 and 7.5 million international tourists by 2025, creating 940,000 jobs and generating an additional US$6bil (RM25bil) in revenue for the province’s economy.

The master plan prescribes seven primary strategic areas for quality tourism development in the province and surrounding regions through 2035 – prioritisation of tourist sites; new tourism products; promotion; quality and sustainability; environmental management; infrastructure and connectivity; and administration.