More than 1.4 million tourists have traveled the country during the five-day holiday of Khmer New Year substitution.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably disrupted most businesses across all types of industries around the world and tourism is among the heaviest hit. In Cambodia is no different, the Royal Government of Cambodia has been working intensively at national, provincial and local levels to anticipate and participate in various methods to contain the spread of this unprecedented pandemic with tourism sectors that have been imposed Ministry of Health by following the proper guidelines recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). However, in a joint efforts between Cambodia’s Ministry of Health and Tourism have introduced the Tourism Safety Measures schemed at the New Normal Protocols.
Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on August 21, 2020 sent the letter of appreciation letter to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia for the very active and effective measures it has taken against the COVID 19 outbreak. UNTWO was very delighted to see Cambodia has gradually restarted its domestic tourism in the controlled manner and has put in place all the necessary safety and hygiene protocols as well as the requisite guidelines at tourism destinations.
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia responded to the Secretary-General of the UNWTO for his meaningful letter expressing strong support to the Royal Government of Cambodia’s decision on organizing Khmer New Year holiday celebration that took place between August 17th -21st, 2020 from its traditional calendar which normally due every year in the month of April to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the careful and responsible domestic travel reopening, Cambodia has been collaborating with international and national organizations, institutions and agencies in facilitating the restart of Cambodia’s tourism as part of the recovery process with trust, confident, resilience at the right price as a key to help boost the economy.
The restart of domestic tourism with COVID-19 extreme safety precaution is highly recommended by the UNWTO. The Kingdom of Cambodia has demonstrated remarkable achievement on restarting tourism as more than 1.4 million tourists had journeyed the country during the five-day holiday of Khmer New Year substitution. With the reference to the reports from Tourism Provincial Departments, the number of tourists who visited tourist destinations across the country from August 17-21, 2020 was 1,459,386. Of which, 1,445,238 were local tourists (Cambodians) and 14,148 foreigners (International Domestic Tourists). We have recorded 233,329 tourists on the first day, second day was 281,855 tourists, third day was 325,077 tourists, fourth day was 334,391 tourists and the fifth day was 284,734 tourists.
There have been tremendous efforts from provincial and city halls to organize tourist destinations and showcase new tourism products successfully across the country, for instance, the Siem Reap provincial administration has organized “Siem Reap Holiday” events, which include sports tourism, gastronomy, culture and tradition tourism, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. Most tourists were groups of families who likely visited from one province to another during these holidays. For the price of food and hotel accommodation was not increased despite the busy holidays, however camping sites and staying at relatives’ houses have become a popular choice for some domestic tourists.
All tourism destinations were strictly implemented with the Tourism Safety Measures such as visitor registration, temperature screening, frequent hand wash, hand sanitizer, wearing facemask and practicing social distancing as part of the New Normal.
Overall, all tourists have enjoyed the influx of all destinations, while consumer spending flowed directly into the local economy. Most of the tourism business establishments were open from accommodation to catering services, and even some professional tour guides also took the advantage of the influx of tourists, and some renowned and high-end hotels were also at service.
Last but not least, Cambodia through the Ministry of Tourism had set out the post recovery plan to restart tourism in accordance with global recommendations to support jobs and economies through tourism and Global Guideline to Restart Tourism of the UNWTO. Beside maintaining the global protocol in the New Normal in tourism and travel sector, the Green Travel Bubble is one of the key immediate action for the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia to attract specific market by working bilateral or multi-bilateral within the region and some outstanding markets.
Learn more about tourism statistic during Khmer New Year here
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia
For more information, please visit: https://www.tourismcambodia.org/
