The equinoctial sun aligning over Angkor Wat in 2020. - Tourism ministry
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's tourism sector is expected to see more positive developments starting from the fourth quarter of 2024, as both the government and private sector work together to tackle challenges that have affected the industry for over four years.
The expectations were highlighted during a recent meeting between newly appointed Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), on Sept 21.
Hak praised CATA’s efforts to promote the country’s tourism sector and expressed confidence that the association would continue to contribute to the industry’s growth.
He also pledged to address the issues raised by the private sector through discussions within the ministry, inter-ministerial groups, tourism working groups and government-private sector forums, with the aim of finding effective and timely solutions to the challenges being faced.
Sivlin noted that while global economic growth and tourism activities are improving following the Covid-19 pandemic, Cambodia’s recovery lags behind that of neighbouring countries. However, after discussions with the new leadership at the ministry, she remains optimistic about the industry’s future.
Key concerns raised by the private sector include enhancing global marketing efforts, reducing barriers for foreign tourists such as visa waivers and fee reductions, lowering entry fees to tourist sites and addressing tax issues for tourism operators.
Sivlin expressed hope that these concerns would be resolved to attract more international visitors in the future.
“We hope that the tourism ministry’s leadership will work to remove the various barriers that currently exist, allowing Cambodia to attract more tourists,” she said.
Sivlin also thanked the government for recent measures, including allowing photography in previously restricted areas of various temples.
Anheng Sokpheak, president of the Cambodia Chinese Tour Guide Association (CCTGA), stated that the number of foreign visitors to Cambodian tourist sites has increased compared to the peak of the pandemic’s impact. However, he noted that the growth rate is not as high as in neighbouring countries.
He urged authorities and all Cambodians to work together to improve the aesthetics and environment of tourism sites, focusing on areas such as environmental management, sanitation, services, new tourism products and adherence to laws and ethics.
From January to July, Cambodia received 3,742,230 international tourists, a 23.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023, with the majority coming from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Laos and the US.
In 2019, the country welcomed 6.61 million international tourists, generating $4.92 billion in revenue and contributing 12.1% to the country's GDP, according to the ministry. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
