The authorities’ plans to raise tourism standards significantly across Cambodia have been met with approval by agents in the country.
Tourism minister Thong Khon announced the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is gearing up to unveil a seven-step plan in the coming months as part of the kingdom’s aim of attracting seven million visitors by 2020.
Phnom Penh
While full details of the proposal are yet to be released, it will focus on improving the quality of tourism services and strengthen the management of industry standards within the tourism sector, especially MICE. It will also look at the professional management of business licenses and strengthening revenue collection.
The shake-up will also see all non-licensed businesses shut down by 2018. According to MoT figures, there were 647 hotels, 1,996 guesthouses, 1,844 restaurants, 588 tourism agencies and 5,088 guides registered across Cambodia in 2016.
Chan Kung, general manager of Mekong Trails, said raising and monitoring standards is essential to make the country more appealing to tourists, as well as bring offerings up to the levels expected from various markets, such as Europe.
He said: “The European market bring certain expectations and sometimes these are not met by hotels or restaurants. If implemented correctly, this could be very beneficial.”
Chhanny Sorn, founder of Asian Dreams, added regulations for tourism products are “definitely needed” and would undoubtedly raise the industry as a whole.
