Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Tourist bodies issue warning

Tourist bodies issue warning

Tourist bodies issue warning

110215_9a
Phat Lin, who lives with Buddhist monks at Preah Vihear temple, sits near a Cambodian soldier at the temple on February 9. Photo by: Reuters

SIX Cambodian tourism associations have appealed to Cambodia and Thailand to end fighting in the areas around Preah Vihear temple to avoid harming the tourism industry in both Kingdoms.
Tourism Working Group co-chair Ho Vandy said the conflict risked causing damage to the temple, as well as the reputation of the two countries. “We are very worried about the border dispute area. If they continue fighting each other, it will seriously affect the tourism industry,” he said yesterday.

The six associations – including the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, Cambodia Hotel Association, Cambodian Restaurant Association, Cambodia Bus Association, Cambodia Guide Association and Tourism Working Group – requested Cambodia and Thailand to ask a third party to assist in resolving the dispute in a statement obtained yesterday.

“As businesses in the tourism industry, we are very disappointed with the severe fighting events between each other that lasted between 5 and 7 February,” the groups said in a joint release.

“We don’t want to have a war or to clash with the Thais. We want to change the border areas between Cambodia and Thailand to become an economic zone and commercial area – that would give advantages to both sides.”

In the release, the organisations appealed to international community, particularly UNESCO, to ensure the temple is kept safe and repaired as soon as possible.

Cambodia Bus Association President Sok Chanmony said some bus tours had seen custom drop between 40 percent and 50 percent during the three days of fighting. Sok Chanmony – who is also the owner of Paramount tours – said there was a particular drop in custom to areas near Preah Vihear temple, such as to Sra Em and Anlong Veng cities.

“If they continue to fight, bus tour companies will have a very serious problem,” he said.

However, Tourism Minister Thong Kong said the ministry had not received any complaints from tourism agencies about the conflict affecting tourism until yesterday’s statement from the six associations.

“Since the end of January this year, the number of international tourists has increased from day to day – it has not been affected by the border dispute,” he said.

The number of visitors from Thailand had dropped following the dispute, but it had been more than made up by visitors from countries such as China, European nations, and South Korea, he said. Although Thong Kong said there was no immediate impact on tourism, he said it could affect the sector “if the problems continue for a long time”.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.