Some private tourism sectors call on the government to consider providing incentives and integrating specific tourism products into the national strategic plan for tourism development from 2023 to 2035. The proposal, which will be submitted to the Council of Ministers soon, aims to attract more tourists and boost the tourism industry.
During a consultative workshop on the new draft strategic plan, Thuon Sinan, president of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter, suggested the addition of three tourism products to entice visitors: Spiritual tourism, motion media tourism (film tourism), and fishing tourism.
He further emphasised the importance of streamlining digital media representation to facilitate information gathering by international visitors.
Sinan also appealed to provincial tourism departments to regularly update services in natural resort areas to enhance promotion and support. Additionally, he urged the government to consider providing incentives for tourists who visit Cambodia more than once.
Ho Vandy, an adviser to the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), supported Sinan’s request, highlighting the significance of private sector input in effectively implementing the strategic plan.
Nep Samuth, secretary of state at the Ministry of Tourism, recently outlined the three strategic goals of the plan. These goals focus on enhancing tourism competitiveness, promoting sustainable tourism, and improving the general tourism environment. The ministry envisions Cambodia becoming a renowned destination for cultural and natural tourism, offering high-quality experiences and abundant tourism resources by 2035.
The ministry said that Cambodia’s tourism potential is closely tied to increasing competitiveness, attracting more tourists to the Kingdom and fostering local economic development. Achieving these objectives entails creating job opportunities, reducing poverty, effectively addressing climate change and leveraging tourism as a catalyst for growth in other socio-economic sectors.
