A day after he was appointed as Minister for Tourism, Huot Hak held two meetings with the private sector on Saturday outlining measures to give a fillip on increasing the number of foreign tourists.
Hak held wide-ranging discussions with the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) and Cambodia Destination Management Companies (CAM-DMC).
Key issues were taken up during the meetings ranging from signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with related ministries, evolution of a one-window process for administrative matters and campaigns within embassies to promote tourism.
The minister also put priority on increasing the number of foreign tourists.
Highlighting the essence of the meeting, Chhay Sivlin, President of Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) told Khmer Times on Sunday, “Plans to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with related ministries were discussed, aiming to streamline processes and enhance coordination within the government.”
“There is also consideration of implementing a one-window process to expedite administrative procedures, demonstrating a commitment to improving efficiency,” she added.
The first meeting was a work review discussion held with the CAM-DMC during which the team presented a report on their activities and challenges and put forward requests to the ministry.
Minister Hak after keenly hearing the inputs, expressed appreciation for their initiatives, commitment and contributions to help promote the tourism sector.
“The meeting with the new Minister of Tourism was productive, with many participants feeling truly heard, which was highly appreciated,” said Virginie Kury, Managing Director of Asian Trails Cambodia, who participated in the meeting.
“A key outcome was the decision to collaborate closely and support one another, working towards the common goal of increasing international arrivals. This unified approach aims to strengthen the tourism sector, with all parties aligned in their commitment to boosting the country’s global appeal and competitiveness,” she added.
The minister made a request to ambassadors and charge affairs to actively promote Cambodian tourism at their respective embassies, indicating a proactive approach to international tourism promotion, Sivlin said.
The commitment to allocate time for visiting tourism departments in each province reflects a hands-on approach to understanding and addressing regional tourism needs. Moreover, the development of a tourism strategies checklist, including marketing and promotion plans, underscores a strategic and organised approach to driving tourism growth.
Kury said, the most pressing priorities facing the new minister include improving accessibility through better international and domestic routes, as well as enhancing road conditions between key destinations. Facilitation of entry processes such as visas and eArrival cards is essential.
She went further saying that addressing the shortage of language-speaking guides through training and recruitment is critical for better visitor experiences. Additionally, monitoring increases in tourist numbers to ensure sustainable growth and focusing on marketing and promotion in Western Europe and American markets will be key for boosting international tourism.
“The successful implementation of marketing and promotion campaigns that increased tourist arrivals to Cambodia demonstrates effective leadership in driving tourism growth,” said Sivlin.
Strengthening partnerships with international tourism organisations and foreign governments has contributed to boosting tourism cooperation and investment. The introduction of sustainable tourism initiatives has played a significant role in preserving natural and cultural heritage sites.
The Minister agreed with Sivlin’s suggestion that the Kingdom needs to focus on natural and cultural tourism due to the richness of its cultural and historical attractions and natural resources.
(Source: khmertimeskh)