Thursday, 19 February 2009

Cambodia acts on a ‘stimulus package’ for its tourism industry

TravelVideo.TV

BY REINHARD HOHLER, ETN ASIA/PACIFIC FEB 18, 2009The Cambodian government and private travel companies have proposed a host of incentive measures aimed at stimulating the tourism sector at a meeting in Phnom Penh last week, the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) said.

Ho Vandy, co-chairman of the Tourism Working Group of CATA, told local newspaper Phnom Penh Post that members of the private sector met with Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon to discuss the possibility of visa exemption for tourists, possible increase in flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, and other initiatives.

Dr. Thong Khon will present these proposals to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Wednesday, said Ho Vandy, to assess whether the measures are financially viable. About two million tourists visit Cambodia per year with each required to pay a visa fee of at least a US$20.

Ho Vandy explained that incentive measures are urgent given the economic climate. "If the government doesn't take action ... we will face a serious problem in the tourism sector," he said.

No comments: