December 26, 2024
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia’s tourism sector is optimistic about attracting more Chinese tourists, particularly from the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions (SARs), following discussions aimed at promoting domestic tourism products.
The commitment was made during a meeting in Hong Kong between Minister of Tourism Huot Hak and Wang Haimin, chairman of China Tourism Group Corporation Limited (CTG), along with representatives from CTG subsidiaries specialising in tourism and China Duty Free Shop in Hong Kong on December 21.
The ministry of tourism reported that the discussions addressed various challenges, focusing on changing perspectives and strategies to strengthen cooperation. It noted that plans were outlined to develop travel packages and increase tourist flows between the two parties, with a special emphasis on attracting visitors from Hong Kong and Macau.
“Through this high-level and productive meeting, many new and important areas of cooperation in tourism have been initiated, including the establishment of a working group to implement the signed memorandum of understanding [MoU], business matching and familiarisation [FAM] trips, the first arrangement for tourists travelling on a chartered flight in 2025, the launch of a tourism campaign slogan and the promotion and advertising of Cambodian products in China Duty Free shops,” the ministry explained.
Anheng Sokpheak, president of the Cambodia Chinese Tour Guide Association (CCTGA), told The Post from Siem Reap province that while the number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia has not yet returned to pre-2020 levels, Chinese nationals remain a key market for the country’s tourism industry.
He noted that reduced direct flights from major Chinese cities to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) have led to longer stays by Chinese visitors, who now average 5–8 days in Cambodia.
Sokpheak noted that Chinese tourists generally stay longer in Cambodia compared to the pre-Covid-19 period, as most travel itineraries now combine visits to Phnom Penh with the Angkor temples in Siem Reap.
He added that the number of foreign tourists, including Chinese nationals, is expected to rise as more direct flights are introduced. He noted that Chinese tourists typically prefer visiting Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville town.
“As someone in the tourism industry, I hope there will be more flights between major cities in China and Cambodia’s three international airports. More direct flights will help tourists from both countries travel together more easily and in greater numbers,” Sokpheak asserted.
Khiev Thy, president of the Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association (KATGA), stated that the global economic slowdown and crises in several countries have negatively impacted the country’s tourism sector. However, he emphasised that increased tourist arrivals would not only generate jobs and income for the sector but also act as a promotional tool to attract more foreign visitors, which offers rich cultural and historical tourism products.
Thy added that as global political and economic conditions improve, international travel will resume at greater volumes.
“The growth in tourist arrivals will bring significant income to both the national and family economies,” he concluded.
CTG, formerly known as China Travel Services (Holdings) Hong Kong Ltd, was established in 1923 and is now 101 years old. It is a state-owned enterprise under the direct management of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, with its headquarters in Hong Kong.
According to the ministry, Cambodia received 5.37 million foreign tourists in the first 10 months of 2024, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among them, 691,736 were from Mainland China, marking a 52.5% rise. Visitors from Hong Kong SAR numbered 131, an increase of 197.7%, while visitors from Macau SAR totalled seven, a 600% rise.
In 2019, Cambodia recorded its highest-ever tourist numbers, welcoming 6.61 million visitors, including 2.36 million from China – a 16.7% increase compared to 2018. Visitors from Hong Kong totalled 2,191, while 219 visitors were from Macau.