Cambodia launches major tourism promotion campaign of the year

During the 8th River Festival held in Siem Reap province, the Kingdom of Cambodia officially launched the “Visit Siem Reap 2024” campaign in the northwestern province of the country to attract more tourists to visit Angkor Archaeological Park, a famous tourist destination listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Campuchia khởi động chiến dịch thúc đẩy du lịch

Cambodia launches tourism promotion campaign to restore and develop socio-economy. (Source: hanoimoi.vn)

Speaking at the event this weekend attended by thousands of people, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said the “Visit Siem Reap 2024” campaign will create momentum to promote tourism in Siem Reap province in particular and attract more foreign tourists to Cambodia in general.

According to the Cambodian Prime Minister, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), which began commercial operations in November 2023, is becoming a potential "magnet" as it creates favorable conditions for international tourists to visit the Angkor Wat temple complex and many other locations in Cambodia.

Mr. Hun Manet called on all stakeholders to continue to work closely to promote tourism in Siem Reap province through the successful implementation of the “Visit Siem Reap 2024” campaign.

In addition, the Cambodian Prime Minister also instructed relevant ministries, branches and Siem Reap provincial authorities to study converting Phnom Kulen National Park into an attractive destination for cultural, natural, adventure and religious tourism, in order to further diversify Cambodia's tourism products.

He requested the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Commerce and the Siem Reap provincial government to study the establishment of a “Green Belt” around Siem Reap to ensure the supply of agricultural products such as vegetables, fruits, fish and meat, etc. to meet the daily needs of the people as well as serve the tourism industry, especially developing agricultural tourism products to enhance Cambodia’s tourism potential.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet also requested relevant ministries, sectors and organizations to come up with solutions to promote the organization of meetings, Vipassana meditation courses, sports and other events in Siem Reap to promote the success of the special program “Siem Reap Tourism 2024” and for the coming years.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Tourism Minister Sok Soken believes that this campaign will create new momentum for the local tourism industry, helping to attract more international tourists, especially to the Angkor Archaeological Park. He stated that the "Visit Siem Reap 2024" campaign is one of the main measures to restore the tourism industry in Siem Reap province.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has identified Siem Reap province as one of five important multi-sector economic axes supporting the economy of Siem Reap province and other localities, especially the tourism sector, thanks to the potential attraction of Siem Reap province, connecting with other potential and important destinations nationwide, associated with special and key solutions to attract tourists to Cambodia in 2024.

The idea of "Visit Siem Reap Year 2024" was announced by Prime Minister Hun Manet in mid-November 2023 at the "19th Royal Government-Private Sector" forum, along with 8 measures to restore tourism in Siem Reap, including: Restructuring the Tourism Council, developing and implementing a specific action plan for "Visit Siem Reap Year 2024", rearranging reception activities at border gates, extending the validity of border passes, providing finance for tourism businesses in Siem Reap, issuing preferential tax policies, exempting penalties for overdue operating licenses for tour guides and interpreters in tour groups, and connecting direct flights from famous tourist destinations to Siem Reap province.

In that spirit, Siem Reap province was chosen by Cambodia as the venue for the 8th River Festival from March 15-17 with the theme “Rivers for Peace and Development” to promote the tourism potential of Siem Reap as well as other riverside provinces in Cambodia.

One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the fish release ceremony and boat rides to enjoy the scenery on both banks of the Siem Reap River. The fish release ceremony symbolizes the spirit of conservation and regeneration of natural aquatic resources in the rivers.

Coming to this year's festival, visitors can also visit the exhibition of paintings about the communities and diverse ecosystems of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River areas.

During the 3-day festival, visitors can enjoy cultural and artistic performances, culinary festivals, trade fairs, exhibitions of traditional craft products, fireworks displays, sporting events and many other entertainment programs.

Tourism is one of Cambodia's important economic pillars. According to statistics, in 2023, the country welcomed 5.45 million international visitors, earning more than 3 billion USD.

Cambodia aims to attract about 7 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding the 6.6 million arrivals in 2019, before the Covid-19 outbreak.

(according to VNA)

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