2017 marks major milestones in Sino-Cambodian tourism ties

2020 Target

Thong Khon said Cambodia is projected to attract 7 million international visitors, including 2 million Chinese tourists in 2020, which could lead to a gross revenue of 5 billion U.S. dollars and create local jobs for 1 million people.

To achieve the 2-million-Chinese tourist target by 2020, Cambodia launched a "China Ready" strategy in early 2016, he said.

The strategy listed steps to be taken by tourism authorities to facilitate visits by Chinese tourists, such as providing Chinese signs and documents for visa processing, encouraging local use of the Chinese currency and the Chinese language, and ensuring that food and accommodation facilities are suited to Chinese tastes.

The strategy also calls for an increase in the number of Chinese-speaking tour guides.

"Based on our clear strategy, we are optimistic that we will be able to achieve the target," he said.

Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, which represents about 250 tour and travel companies, said close Cambodia-China ties, the richness of Cambodia's cultural heritage sites, and better air route connectivity are the key factors attracting Chinese holiday makers to Cambodia.

She said that Chinese tourists loved shopping, but that some of them were disappointed when they couldn't find enough variety of locally-made products, and when some vendors sold fake products.

"Sometimes, vendors sell products at a very high price, or sell fake products. This is a problem that can affect our tourism business," said Sivlin, who is also president and chief executive officer of CSL Travel & Tours.

"To attract more Chinese tourists, we suggest that the authorities concerned help educate souvenir vendors to sell real products at a reasonable price," she said.

Ho Vandy, president of World Express Tour and Travel Company, which arranges high-class package tours for the more affluent Chinese tourists, said better livelihoods were also a factor encouraging more Chinese to travel overseas on their holidays.

"With their better living conditions, some have been choosing premium tour packages, staying in five-star hotels," he said. "And some have hired helicopters for their journeys in Cambodia."

Tourism is one of the four sectors supporting the Cambodian economy. The country has three world heritage sites, namely Angkor archeological park in northwestern Siem Reap province, Preah Vihear Temple in northwestern Preah Vihear province, and Sambor Prei Kuk archeological site in Central Kampong Thom province.

In addition, it has a pristine coastline stretching 450 km and spanning four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.