Following the official release of the national roadmap and master plan for Tourism to Siem Reap, Angkor in Cambodia 2021 to 2035 approved by the PM. Samdech Techo Hun Sen. Today, April 7th, 2021, Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Dr. THONG KHON has commented that the Royal Government of Cambodia is considering taking the international tourists to the country’s main tourist hub of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia in the fourth quarter of 2021. This initiative applied to only those who have been inoculated the Coronavirus vaccine and the plan should be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2021 (2021 Q4). This proposal is made just after the result of Covid-19 20th February community outbreak has been well controlled in Siem Reap.

Covid-19 Crisis Restoring Roadmap 2021-2025 and Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2021-2035

According to the official MoT Facebook Page Information posted on April 1st 2021 that Samdech Techo HUN SEN has approved the Crisis restored Roadmap already. That news release has mentioned that Roadmap 2021-2025 is to restore Cambodia’s tourism during and after COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The 2021-2025 Roadmap itself is divided into three phases as following:

1. Crisis Management in the New Normal and Recovery Preparation plan (Resilience & Restart) to be done in 2021.
2. Reconstruction of Cambodia’s tourism after COVID-19 crisis (Recovery) to be executed in 2022-2023.
3. Preparation for Rebound of Tourism (Relaunch) to be implemented in 2024-2025.

As for Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2021-2035 is to get Siem Reap province build back its pride in the medium and long-term major tourist destination in Cambodia and the Southeast Asian regions. The government also expects to welcome close to 11 million national tourists and 7.5 million international tourists, generating 940,000 jobs and turning in US$6 billion for national income from this non-smoke industry.

How Promising this Taking Foreign Tourists to Angkor Plan Is

According to the Facebook Post P.M. Samdech Techo Hun Sen has acknowledged MoT Minister’s request to reopen Siem Reap to International tourists from the Q4 of 2021. He allowed the Ministry of Tourism to start discussing with all stakeholders such as Ministry of Health (Commission on Affairs), relevant ministries, institutions, provincial administrations and the private sectors to study the opening of tourist packages for whom have been well inoculated. And the plan could be taken off in the fourth quarter of 2021 or anytime appropriately.

His Excellency added that Siem Reap, Angkor is one of the main tourist destination with good community management and once all tourism service providers have been vaccinated. Along with the vaccination campaign for the general people in this destination is in good progress, this will build a good confidence to tourists to come.

Nevertheless, His Excellency also mentioned that there are a lot of work to be done with intensive discussion to make sure all going well and here are some initial keys to raise:

• Building trust and confidence for tourists
• Quality of service and reasonable prices
• Formalize international border-crossing in compliance with both health and convenience principles.

At least but not last, H.E. Minister of Tourism of Cambodia has also reminded that this case could begin with a discussion about arranging a tour package targeted to only vaccinated tourists. He added mainly the tourists who are traveling on non-transit flights (direct flights to Cambodia). But bus transfer from a neighboring countries will be also considered.

What Private Sector Should Prepare to be Ready?

This question is very important for private sectors especially those who will directly face with tourists. The government job is to turn on the green light and deliver the national administrative level. Destination Management Companies, Tour Operator, Travel Agencies, Tour guide, Accommodation and Lodging service providers etc. are those in the frontline from marketing to welcoming and sending them back safely and happily without compromising any of the government policies and the set codes of conduct.

From the above national and ministerial approach, private sectors should already draft their own books to adopt themselves to the new norms. It is time to refresh the work after a long time break. As for a prime example, the past Public Liability Insurance may need Area for Improvement such as to include Covid-19 policy. All hospitality providers must have a mean to check the validity of Covid-19 vaccination certificate… This is just the author’s opinion, whatever required will be issued by the government.

As an industry expert on the Travel and Event, the author of Sam Inspire, Samnang is very excited to welcome future updates.

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Note: This article is for information purpose only, no liability will be taken for legal or official reference. Revisions could be done at the author’s discretion.

SAM INSPIRE family hopes you find this information useful to your research. This article is the reflection of Mr. Sam’s findings with zero political touch. If you need further support, please feel free to contact Sam, he will be so happy to do more steps to help you out.

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