As Cambodia Is Set to Welcome Vaccinated Tourists, Challenges Lie Ahead
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22 December 2021 20:52 WIB
More is needed to lure regional tourists
While the launch of vaccine tourism is a positive sign for the Cambodian economy and tourism, Tourism Minister Thong Khon does not expect Cambodia to immediately receive many tourists. He estimated that only about 3,000 to 5,000 international tourists would come to Cambodia during this first phase.
“We will strive to reach out to countries with potential markets and low risks,” Khon said. “We think that tourists who like to visit the seaside are Russians, who could visit our Sihanoukville. And there may be tourists from other potential markets including Chinese tourists, and from our ASEAN region.”
Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga of ASEANTA said that, since this reopening is still a unilateral decision, response from regional tourists could be modest at first. To facilitate travel among countries in the region, he urged further action such as consultation within ASEAN to encourage their people to travel within the region without quarantine requirement—especially in the case of countries considered low risks—and to expand reopening to other destinations within Cambodia, easing restrictions depending on the COVID-19 situation.
In addition, he said, Cambodia could play a more active role in the reopening of ASEAN borders in view of the fact that Cambodia is currently holding ASEAN chairmanship.
Long Kosal is deputy director of Apsara National Authority. Photo by Chhorn Sophat
Regarding Cambodia’s appeal as a tourism destination, Long Kosal, deputy director of Apsara National Authority, which administers the Angkor Archaeological Park, believes that Cambodia is still one of the main destinations for foreign visitors.
With a high vaccination level among its population, Cambodia will be able to welcome more tourists as it is rather safe compared to other countries.
“I think that, in the current circumstances, we should talk of the psychology and feelings of tourists,” Kosal said. “[Let’s] put ourselves in their shoes: What are the pressures in today’s situation. In cases where tourism sites re-open and tourists start traveling, they sometimes dream of visiting specific places.”
Regulations and limited flights remain challenging
In spite of high hopes, there are a number of obstacles that stand in the way. For instance, while Thailand allows vaccinated travelers from Cambodia by air to enter without quarantine, Singapore still maintains its Stay Home Notice rule for those coming from Cambodia.
Rules and quarantine regulations are being imposed in many ASEAN countries while others are still discouraging their people from international travel, especially for short-visits or leisure, Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga of ASEANTA noted.
Asked what could be done to attract more tourists, he said that Cambodia should hold discussions with neighboring countries, especially regarding reducing or exempting quarantine requirements when tourists go back to their home countries.
Over the past years, Cambodia has been depending on regional countries such as Thailand or Singapore as transfer hub for tourists from countries out of the region. With such limited and disrupted flight schedules along with the ongoing pandemic, Cambodia appears not to be in a good position in that regard.
Local tourists visit Angkor Wat temple. Photo by Phat Dane. Cambodianess
But opening new routes, and especially long-haul ones, requires significant effort and investment, Eddy pointed out.
The Cambodian government should consider providing incentives to support early operations, which may include charge exemption or discounts, providing resources for marketing and promotion, special programs for visitors and passengers using such flights, visa-free facilitation and so on, he said.
“At the same time, strengthening the role of Cambodia’s airport as a hub should be done with strengthening regional network and international transit facilities at airport so as such long-haul flight could be an option for travelers to visit other parts of Southeast Asia through Cambodia,” Eddy explained.
In addition to lacking flights from overseas, Cambodia is also facing a shortage of options for domestic flights. Currently, there are limited flights operating within the country to transport visitors landing at Phnom Penh International Airport to other tourism destinations including Sihanoukville. However, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that land transportation may be not available for the vaccinated-tourist scheme as it may be risky.
Expressing concerns over such an issue, Chhay Sivlin of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents said that this may put Cambodia in an uphill battle to compete with other countries. “The airport in Preah Sihanouk Province doesn’t receive any direct flight from overseas and visitors need connecting flights from the Phnom Penh airport,” she said.
Torn Chanritheara, Cambodianess
(Article produced as a part of the SEAFORE ASEAN Masterclass project, with support from the Institute for War and Peace Reporting)