Tourism Minister Proposes Extending Cambodia-India Tourism Year to 2025 to Enhance Visitor Exchange.


Phnom penh: The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism has requested the Embassy of the Republic of India in Phnom Penh to continue the Cambodia-India Tourism Year to 2025 to further boost the flow of tourists between the two countries. H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, made the request at the opening ceremony of “Cambodia-India Tourism Forum 2024” held in Siem Reap provincial city on Oct. 31 under the theme “Potentials of Indian Tourism Market for Cambodia’s Tourism: Opportunities and Readiness.”

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Cambodia is well-prepared to receive Indian tourists and investors. The growth of Indian tourists is seen as an important opportunity that not only promotes tourism development but also creates investment opportunities in other sectors, supporting Cambodia’s economic growth and national development. H.E. Minister praised the “Cambodia-India Tourism Forum 2024”, highlighting its role in providing opportunities for tourism experts, private sectors, and related stakeholders f
rom both countries to network, exchange ideas, and develop joint strategies for sustainable and responsible tourism.

Mr. Vijay Shankar Prasad, Second Secretary of the Embassy of India in Cambodia, recalled the joint efforts made by India and Cambodia to enhance flight connections to boost tourist flows. He congratulated IndiGo Airlines for its new routes – New Delhi-Phnom Penh and Kolkata-Siem Reap – set to launch in February 2025. He expressed optimism that the cooperation between the two nations would result in a further increase in tourist exchanges.

Figures from the Ministry of Tourism showed that Cambodia welcomed 20,560 Indian tourists in the first three months of 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 25 percent. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy, alongside garment, footwear, and travel goods exports; agriculture; and the construction and real estate sectors. The Kingdom is renowned for its world cultural heritage sites, such as the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem
Reap province, the Preah Vihear Temple, Koh Ker Temple in Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in Kampong Thom province. Additionally, Cambodia boasts a 450-kilometre-long pristine coastline across four southwestern provinces: Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse