The Ministry of Tourism has launched an online poll to explore people’s preferences and attitudes on domestic tourism, and obtain additional feedback for the preparation of the National Strategic Plan for Tourism Development 2021-2035.
The ministry said in a statement on November 29 that comments would be “really valuable” in shaping the strategic plan and supporting documents and that “all information obtained through the questionnaire will be anonymous, confidential and used for this study only”.
The Khmer-only Google Docs survey is open to both Cambodians and foreign nationals living in the Kingdom, it noted. The poll can be accessed at forms.gle/j9zf9pDGsa2HKrPF9.
Chuob Ratana, director of the ministry’s Tourism Development Planning Department, told The Post that the recently-launched poll would help formulate the strategic plan, development of which he noted is led by his department, and attested that the instrument’s 2012-2020 predecessor accomplished “a lot” during its lifetime.
He noted that workshops had been organised in the province of Mondulkiri and then Preah Sihanouk in pursuit of feedback for the plan, and indicated that more such questionnaires were on the cards.
Although it was set up by his department, the director was admittedly unaware of how long the poll would remain online.
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (Cata) president Chhay Sivlin told The Post on November 30 that there was much the ministry could do with the results of the poll. “Internal tourism has injected a lot of money into the local economy.
“As a result, we need to have a more in-depth understanding of the needs and attitudes of the people in the country to better promote and develop domestic tourism,” she said.
Cata will also encourage potential sightseers to opt to travel and explore tourist attractions across the country, rather than spending more on trips overseas, she said, maintaining that domestic tourism is currently the most feasible driver of economic growth locally and nationally.
She noted that with the needs, preferences and attitudes of domestic travellers clearly identified, the private sector can step up tourism services and lure in more visitors to ratchet up the tally of domestic trips across the country.
