PLANS to offer three-year tourist visas for travellers to Cambodia could help spur return visits, industry players say.
From September 1, foreign visitors from certain countries will be able to apply for multi-entry business and tourist visas valid up to three years.
Details are yet announced but tourism minister Thong Khon said the measure would help “promote tourism growth”, with an aim to attract 7.5 million foreign visitors by 2020.
Kong Hen, manager at Mekong Travel Tours, expects this to appeal to the regional market as well as business travellers and backpackers.
He said: “It makes returning to Cambodia convenient. You don’t have the hassle of paperwork and paying fees. It is easy.”
Chhay Sivlin, vice chairwoman of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, added: “It is important for international tourists or businesspeople who are looking to come back again with their family or friends, or for meetings with business partners.”
It is also believed the introduction of the visa will help lure foreigners from Thailand, where efforts to tighten regulations on long-term stays recently tightened.
Currently, tourists can access for a month with visa-on-arrival, which can be extended to three months. A one-year business visa is also available.
