Thailand
Cambodia: 2021 tourism licence renewal fees and penalties waived
The Ministry of Tourism has decided to waive fines for the late renewal of expired tourism licences effective from March 16 until the end of 2021. Additionally, the renewal fees themselves for 2021 tourism-related business licences have been set at no charge.
This decision has been taken because of the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ease the burden of doing business now in the tourism sector.
Ministry of Tourism spokesman Top Sopheak said: “Tourism-related businesses or travel agents who have not yet renewed their business licence are still required to renew with the ministry or other administrations according to the size of their business.”
He added: “This mechanism is to facilitate tourism-related businesses.” Previously, those who were late in renewing their tourism licence were fined but, given this difficult situation, we are waiving the penalty, he said.
“All the costs of tourism-related business licences will be shouldered by the government for the entire year of 2021,” he added.
Sar Sarin, chief executive officer of Channel Group, welcomed the move. He said it is good for travel agencies, hotels and restaurants. He also noted that operators are facing income issues while expenses remain ongoing as they try to maintain their pool of skilled labour.
“We reduced our staff by 60 percent and we are employing skilled workers,” he added. “The contribution from the ministry will relieve the company’s burden and expenses regarding the cost of regulations and licences.”
The fee for the renewal of a tourism licence is around $300 and the penalty for late renewal of expired tourism licences is $250, said Sarin.
During COVID-19-ravaged 2020, Cambodia received only 1.31 million foreign tourists, a fall of 80 percent compared with 2019. Even though Cambodia continues to face this crisis, the trend in domestic tourism remains positive, with about 9 million local tourists travelling across the country, a decline of only 20 percent compared with 2019.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50829230/2021-tourism-licence-renewal-fees-and-penalties-waived/