Cambodia expects over 5.6 million international tourists and over 16.4 of national tourists in 2024 by developing tourism infrastructure, sports events and implementation of digital technology, according to the roadmap plan of the Ministry of Tourism.
Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, on Thursday, chaired the seminar attended by over 800 official members, along with Hor Sarun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism, and Nep Samouth, Director-General of Tourism, held at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel in the capital.
Addressing the closing ceremony under the theme of ‘Summarize the plan to promote Cambodia’s tourism sector, during and after the Covid-19 crisis’, Nep Samouth presented the tourism statistics reported in May 2023.
He also highlighted that Cambodia’s tourism is rapidly revising from the Covid-19 crisis and the government has agreed to continue to support the strategies for resilience and recovery to speed up the process.
Samouth said that in response to the current situation, the government aims to promote Cambodia as a clean and green tourist destination. He revealed that the government plans to build a sports stadium that is capable to contain 10,000-20,000 people to promote sports events and tourism in Siem Reap province. He urged the private sector and business institutions to promote tourists from China and Muslim society.
Thong Khon said, “The economy of Cambodia will increase by 6.6 percent and even up to seven percent in the next few years with an increasing number of both international and national tourists, which is expected to reach 5.6 million international tourists and 16.4 national tourists in 2024.”
He continued that the government has set a roadmap to promote tourist destinations in Cambodia through three major factors. The first factor is the development of tourist infrastructures such as a new airport, tourist ports and expressways. Second, is the promotion of more sports events in Cambodia and the last factor is the implementation of digital technology to reserve hotels, book tickets or make payments.”
Speaking to Khmer Times Nep Samouth said, “The development of tourism will reap benefits as a whole to Cambodia, not just a certain province with more tourist destinations. The government will manage the budget to improve roads, schools, hospitals and tourist sites across the whole country.”
He told that while developing the tourist destinations in Siem Reap, Ratanakiri and Kep province, the government has set four new poles to attract tourists which include Battambang, Pursat, Pailin, and Banteay Meanchey province.
The government has launched the ‘Best tourism business campaign for visit Cambodia in 2023’ in line with the ‘IBEST’ concept which stands for improving service quality, booking, environment, safety and technology.
Source: khmertimeskh.com
