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Cambodia: Need to diversify tourism sector to attract more tourists
The tourism sector is one of the economic pillars of Cambodia and its continued growth is crucial for the country’s well-being. Ho Vandy is the secretary-general of Cambodia National Tourism Alliance and he recently spoke to Khmer Times’ Chea Vannak on the challenges that the sector faces.
KT: How has the tourism sector progressed so far?
Mr. Ho Vandy: During the past two decades, the tourism sector in Cambodia has been steadily progressing. Cambodian-owned tourism related businesses, previously run by foreigners, are now mushrooming all over the country. The number of tourist sites are also increasing.
The government has implemented an open skies policy and this helps bring in tourists on direct flights. Previously there were only four or five direct flights to Cambodia but now there are about 30 airline companies operating either direct commercial flights, or chartered ones.
The number of hotels and guest houses has also increased tremendously, and there is also infrastructure – such as highways and railways – to support the tourism sector. According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, at the end of 2016, there were 647 hotels, 1,996 guesthouses, 1,844 restaurants, 588 tourist agencies and 5,088 guides registered in the country.
So the tourism sector has come a long way in Cambodia, and the progress is very noticeable.
KT: There seems to be a slowdown in the number of tourist arrivals from the European Union. Do you see the opening of other potential markets?
Mr. Ho Vandy: Yes, the potential markets are in the region – Asean and the Greater Mekong Subregion and also China, South Korea and Japan. So we have to keep targeting tourists in these geographical areas.
Last year, the Ministry of Tourism released a White Paper titled “China Ready for Cambodia Tourism” outlining a five-year strategy for attracting Chinese tourists to the country with the aim of getting two million of them to visit the country per year by 2020.
To cater to roughly two million Chinese tourists expected to visit the country per year by 2020, the government has also set up a China Ready Center (CRC). The CRC is crucial for attracting large numbers of Chinese tourists to the country. The Chinese tourism market is flourishing and we should not lose sight of it.
KT: What can you tell us about the government’s partnership with the private sector to develop more attractions for tourists – like shopping malls and entertainment centers? It is a known fact that there are limited number of natural tourism sites, in Cambodia, to attract tourists?
Mr. Ho Vandy: We have noticed that some areas have been developed, while development in other areas are still slow. The internal challenge stems from the poor engagement of the private sector to promote tourism in the country and the ministry lacking strategies and programs to attract international and local tourists.
There is a lack of research and analysis of how the Cambodian tourism industry fits into the larger global market and how the country can piggy-back on other tourism festivals and events internationally to attract tourists to the country.
The government, especially the Ministry of Tourism, has to work hard on its marketing strategy and plans. When there is a proper plan, both parties – government and the private sector – can sit down and work upon it.
There is currently a lack of tourist attractions and resorts like safari parks, night zoos, national parks and high-end entertainment centers with world-class performers to entice tourists to stay longer in the country. We have to move away from package tours that only focus on temple-tourism.
KT: If that is the case, what is the government doing to diversify the sector?
Mr. Ho Vandy: The lack of infrastructure for high-end tourism and also for specialist groups keen on outdoor sports is lacking in the country.
In addition, the private sector could also include tourism products like voluntourists – where young people can volunteer and travel at the same time. Eco-tourism, also, should be looked at seriously. We have great tourist sites along the Cambodia – Thailand border and also in the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam triangle.
These tourism products have great potential to attract more international tourists and they depend on marketing and promotion strategies by both government and the private sector.
KT: In the past two years, especially, we have seen more Cambodians travel overseas. Do you think this will have an effect on the local tourism market? Also, why are more Cambodians travelling overseas?
Mr. Ho Vandy: Our neighboring countries are good at diversifying their tourism products – so we have Cambodians travelling to Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China and South Korea for shopping and entertainment. We also have a large number of Cambodians travelling to Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore to seek medical treatment.
Asean has a visa-free policy for all its nationals in 10 countries, and that’s also a contributory factor for Cambodians travelling overseas.
KT: The tourism sector is one of the Cambodia’s economic drivers. Do you think more should be done to promote it?
Mr. Ho Vandy: The establishment of transport facilities and hospitality services are crucial for the tourism sector to develop further.
The traffic issue still needs to be addressed. Traffic congestion just scares away tourists. We also need more clean public toilets for tourists. Sanitation and hygiene are important issues that cannot be overlooked.
Unscrupulous tour operators also have to be reined in by the Tourist Police. Those operators that prey on tourists and fleece them just bring a bad name to the country, and will hurt the tourism industry.
KT: Do you think Cambodia’s target of seven million international tourists by 2020 can be achieved?
Mr. Ho Vandy: Seven million international tourists by 2020 is an achievable target. But there are four factors we need to be mindful of.
Firstly, we need to keep maintaining political stability. Secondly, we need sound economic management so that no we will not be haunted by financial crises. Thirdly, we must keep our fingers crossed that there will be no natural disasters in the country. Fourthly, we must not have threats from terrorism.
We need to pay close attention to these four factors if we want to maintain growth in our tourism sector and attract more international tourists.
Source: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/34853/need-to-diversify-tourism-sector-to-attract-more-tourists/