A central tourism marketing and advertising council is set to launch by end-April to help Cambodia achieve its target of seven million visitors by 2020.
Tourism minister Thong Khon said the council’s main aim is to promote Cambodia to the international market through campaigns and initiatives, and also encourage the private sector to market and advertise the destination.
Bayon temple, Siem Reap
Khon added that the tourism industry is a vital economic pillar for the country, with the seven million visitor target translating to an estimated revenue of US$5 billion and more than one million direct jobs.
A five-year tourism masterplan has also been developed, the minister revealed. In this, he urges the creation of new tourism products and keeping resorts and their surroundings clean.
Other elements include infrastructure development, promoting green resorts, building new roads to reach resorts, and increasing quality and manpower within the sector.
This move is welcomed by industry players, who claim that international promotions is an area where the destination is lagging.
Chin Meanhung, CEO of Mekong Adventures, said: “For a long time, agents have said more needs to be done centrally to promote Cambodia. We individually do what we can but that is only so much. I hope we can work with the government to improve this in the future.”
Thourn Sinan, chairman of Cambodia Pacific Asia Air Travel Association, said: “This will push development within the tourism sector in the right areas.”
