Russia and Kuwait, New Tourism Destinations for Cambodia: Tourism Minister

By Soy Sophea

Cambodian government tourism officials said that Cambodia has targeted Kuwait and Russia as new sources of inbound tourists to Cambodia. These two nations appear to be weathering the global economic crisis well and targeting them should help to avoid a sharp drop in foreign arrivals to the kingdom.

Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, said that no tourism destination could expect to avoid a decrease in the number of foreign tourists, citing the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) prediction that the global economic crisis would affect the tourism industry.

The Minister’s remark was made at the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA) Management election on January 21 at the Imperial Garden Hotel.

Thong Khon urged CATA and relevant agencies to do their best in promoting Cambodia’s tourism, saying. “I want all of you to cooperate with the tourism industry in targeting advertisements at Kuwait and Russia.”

“Although we lack Russian speaking guides we will try our best with Russian tourists this year,” he said. “Nevertheless, we have no time to waste in producing Russian-speaking guides.”

He said that Cambodia had a history of good relations with Russia, citing Phnom Penh’s Russian Market to illustrate his point. This background will help Cambodia convince Russians to pay a visit.

In order to sustain Cambodian tourism, the minister also urged local tourism agencies and relevant stakeholders to take care of local tourists who are regular visitors, to offset the decline in international visitors.

He said Cambodia expects to receive 50,000 Kuwaiti arrivals in 2009, following the introduction of direct flight links between the two nations and agreements to strengthen relations.

CATA Board of Governor Elections

Ho Vandy, former President of CATA said that his mandate included many reputable achievements including providing tourism law consultation, work with the Marketing Council, and creating the slogan “The Kingdom of Wonder.”

As his 3-year mandate came to a close, he said that he has increased sector transparency in management, created a website and directory and increased Association membership from 107 to 171 members.

“Our team has built international relationships,” Handy said. “Two Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with China and Indonesia which will help maintain the boom in the tourist industry.”

The former president said that he had increased the tourism budget, though none of this would have been possible without the cooperation of all CATA members and relevant agencies, including foreign embassies to Cambodia.

However, Handy note there was room for even more cooperation as some concession companies needed to improve certain areas such as the non-smoking policy.

He suggested the newly-elected president Ang Kim Eang should continue CATA principles and pay attention to the negative points.

As the new President, Ang Kim Eang, told the Cambodia Weekly that he would manage the Association to the best of his ability and cooperate with members, the Cambodian Government and relevant stakeholders.////