The government has squirrelled away about $500,000 for the upcoming Pacific Asian Tourism Association Travel Mart (PTM), which is to run September 17-19.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Post yesterday that the government had approved the $500,000 budget for the event, which it is hoped will attract more tourism business to the Kingdom.

“The amount is not much compared to the long-term benefits the event could bring to the country,” Khon said.

“Cambodia could earn three to four times more than that amount from tourism-related business in the year following the event. That is what the government expects.”

The event, co-organised by the Pacific Asian Tourism Association (PATA), is expected to cost more than $1 million. Thoun Sinan, president of the association’s Cambodian chapter, said the co-organiser and attendees would help fund the remaining amount.

“The income from booth rentals will be used to cover the event’s expenses, which include paying for accommodation, tickets, food and transportation for invited buyers,” Sinan said.

“If there is revenue from the event, the money will go to PATA,” he added.

More than 600 tourism companies from around the world are expected to attend the event, which will be held on Koh Pich.

Last year’s PTM was held in Chengdu, China. It hosted some 550 tourist industry stalls and about 473 buyer delegates, according to PATA.