Over 160 people have participated in the training, which has been run in cooperation with Japanese volunteer doctors. Apsara Authority
The Apsara National Authority (ANA) said it has conducted a first aid training course for 30 travel agents and 10 order agents in cooperation with a group of volunteer Japanese doctors.
The first aid course which focussed on addressing cardiac arrests, wound wrapping, and lifting victims to stretchers is the fifth such training carried out by the organisation.
Apsara Authority deputy director-general Sok Sangvar said that training had already been done four times, with a total of 160 participants.
“This is the fifth event with 40 participants including 30 travel agents and 10 order agents. The training is to be conducted every February and July.
“Providing first aid knowledge to temple tour agents is the most important task for the Apsara Authority so that they are trained to provide care for tourists should they need it.
“The safety of our guests is very important to us, and the approach by our institution has been greatly supported and appreciated,” he said.
Late last month, Apsara Authority spokesman Long Kosal, said that every temple had stationed agents trained in first aid.
“We have a lot of travel agents in every temple and all of them are trained in first aid,” he said.
Figures from the Angkor Institution show that last year, Angkor resort received more than two million foreign visitors generating nearly $10 million in revenue. However, the number of tourists had decreased by 14.86 per cent compared to 2018.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has recently encouraged the Ministry of Tourism and other relevant ministries to throw support behind traditional and religious festivals, sports events, concerts, film screenings, and fashion shows to attract tourists.
He specifically mentioned Angkor Sangkran as a traditional festival which should be promoted as a tourism opportunity.
Hun Sen also recommended keeping the price of Angkor tickets the same and even allowing those who buy tickets for one day to stay for a two-day visit. Currently, three-day tickets are used for five-day visits and seven-day tickets are used for 10-day visits to encourage tourists to stay longer.
Hun Sen’s guidance came at a the time of tourists numbers dwindling dramatically as China and other countries in the world are increasingly plagued by Covid-19.
