PM Calls for Measures to Stimulate Tourism During Low Season

In a proactive response to concerns raised by the tourism sector regarding low international arrivals during the off-peak season, Prime Minister Hun Manet has proposed several measures to boost tourist numbers. Key among these proposals is reducing the cost of tickets to major attractions, including the iconic Angkor Wat, and halving parking fees at the newly opened Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI).

Addressing the Low Season Challenge

The Prime Minister’s call to action aims to mitigate the impact of the quieter months on Cambodia’s tourism industry. Despite significant strides in recovery, the sector still faces limitations during the low season. By reducing ticket prices and parking fees, the government hopes to make Cambodia a more attractive destination for international visitors during this period.

Tourism Statistics and Recovery

In the first half of 2024, Cambodia recorded 12,386 international flights, averaging 480 to 490 flights per week, facilitated by 31 airlines. The recently inaugurated SAI alone welcomed 3,214 flights, or approximately 120 to 130 flights weekly.

Siem Reap Provincial Governor Prak Sophoan highlighted the positive trends, noting, “Recently, the tourism industry has been recovering day-by-day. In 2023, Siem Reap province received over 2.5 million visitors, both local and international. In the first half of 2024, more than 1.9 million people visited Siem Reap, including over 520,000 international tourists. Daily, we now welcome 10 to 19 flights and 1,000 to 1,500 visitors at the airport.”

Sophoan also emphasized the collaborative efforts between government officials and stakeholders to create a calendar of annual events designed to attract more visitors, alongside improvements in hospitality for tourists.

National Tourism Figures

According to the Tourism Statistics Report of Cambodia, Phnom Penh International Airport received 8,960 flights in the first half of 2024, averaging 330 to 350 flights per week. Sihanoukville International Airport welcomed 212 flights, with seven flights weekly.

Tob Sopheak, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), confirmed that 3.16 million international tourists visited Cambodia during this period, a 22.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, and equivalent to 94.9 percent of the figures from the first half of 2019. Additionally, domestic tourism saw 9.69 million visitors, a 6.4 percent increase, while outbound tourists rose by five percent to 900,000.

The revenue from Angkor Wat ticket sales reached $24,357,695 from 521,950 visitors, marking a 35.3 percent increase.

Prime Minister’s Commitment to Tourism

During an undercover visit to Siem Reap, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed concern over the low tourist numbers during the off-peak season. He acknowledged Siem Reap’s vast potential to attract visitors and its critical role in driving economic development.

Manet stressed the importance of the tourism sector in creating employment and enhancing the country’s reputation. He attributed the sector’s challenges to global issues such as Covid-19 and international conflicts. The pandemic led to business closures and hardships for those in the tourism industry, and although Covid-19 has receded, ongoing global conflicts and economic crises continue to impact tourism.

To aid recovery, Manet emphasized the need for a safe and stable environment to attract tourists. He highlighted the government’s efforts, including spending $50 million to reactivate tourism activities and facilitate advancements across the country.

Seasonal Variations and Strategic Measures

Manet pointed out the stark difference in tourist arrivals between the high and low seasons. From October 2023 to March 2024, Cambodia saw 3,000 to 5,000 foreign visitors daily, compared to 1,300 to 1,900 during the low season from June onwards. He called for solutions to stabilize tourism throughout the year, including conducting studies on reducing airport parking prices and entry fees to major attractions during the low season.

“We should take problems as lessons learned and find solutions to address them. In this matter, we should also give some discounts during this low season, especially tickets for Angkor,” he stated.

Enhancing Visitor Convenience

The Prime Minister also mentioned initiatives to streamline the tourist experience, such as implementing e-arrivals and e-visa facilities, and enabling e-payment access upon arrival in Cambodia. These measures aim to save visitors time and reduce the hassle of obtaining official documents, making their stay more convenient and enjoyable.

Here’re Some of Angkor Times’ Mechanisms to Boost Tourism in Cambodia: A Strategic Approach

1. Develop Long-Term Strategic Plans: Establish strategic plans for 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years to guide tourism development.
2. Seek Partnerships: Collaborate with local and international partners for financing, budgeting, and educating tour operators to expand services across the country.
3. Enhance Hospitality: Train tourism service providers to improve service quality, packaging, and pricing, ensuring a hygienic and attractive experience for tourists.
4. Media Involvement: Encourage media participation in promoting Cambodian tourism.
5. Embassy Participation: Involve Cambodian embassies in global tourism promotion campaigns.
6. Educational Initiatives: Engage educational institutions in creating content and promoting tourism.
7. Youth Involvement: Mobilize youth networks to create and share tourism-related content.
8. Simplify Visa Processes: Implement policies to ease visa fees and streamline digital transportation and payment services for tourists.
9. Environmental Stewardship: Encourage environmental conservation and active participation in promoting tourist sites.
10. Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with local and international influencers to promote Cambodia.
11. Funding Initiatives: Seek stipends from business leaders to fund tourism promotion.
12. Ensure Safety: Enhance safety and security measures for tourists.
13. Professional Development: Improve the capacity of tourism professionals and streamline operational efficiency.
14. Combat Corruption: Eliminate corruption and favoritism within the Ministry of Tourism.
15. Promote Khmer Cuisine: Widely promote famous Khmer foods.

By implementing these strategies, Cambodia can attract more tourists during the low season and strengthen its tourism industry, ensuring sustained economic growth and development.