{"id":2204,"date":"2019-06-21T01:11:26","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T18:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capitalcambodia.com\/?p=2204"},"modified":"2019-06-21T07:16:47","modified_gmt":"2019-06-21T00:16:47","slug":"cambodian-tourism-in-need-of-a-shake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capitalcambodia.com\/cambodian-tourism-in-need-of-a-shake-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Cambodian tourism in need of a shake-up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Government needs to bring in more quality tourists, expand the tourism sector to be on par with neighbouring countries<\/em><\/p>\n

Rising tourist numbers to the Kingdom have greatly benefitted the local economy. Last year, 6.2 million foreign tourists visited Cambodia. The number is expected to rise to seven million by 2020.<\/p>\n

The tourism sector earned a gross revenue of $4.35 billion in 2018, up 19.8 percent from $3.63 billion a year ago. Although the figures are a welcome, questions whether the country can cope with the influx of tourists cloud the sector. The doubts relate to the capability of the hospitality industry, as well as infrastructure support and tourism offerings to cater to the rising numbers.<\/p>\n

Evolving travel tastes require the hospitality industry to adapt accordingly, says Chip Mong Group Co Ltd hotels and hospitality division vice president Simon Dell, adding that younger visitors are not so keen on full service accommodations offered by five-star service sectors.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no longer about concierge and fancy restaurants. Rather, it is about comfortable rooms and clean bathrooms at the right price point,\u201d says Dell.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cambodia needs to be on par with neighbouring countries Arise Agency<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, the lack of hotel rooms during high season (November till January) is another issue that needs to be tackled. Presently, Phnom Penh has more than 19,600 hotel rooms. Of them, rated hotel rooms amount to some 5,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause the capital city can accommodate more hotels, developers need to target the right market. It is not a question of inadequate rooms but quality properties.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne has to choose the hotel model and brand to operate. I think Phnom Penh lacks three to four-star hotel which is the sector where demand is growing,\u201d Dell says.<\/p>\n

Tourism ministry spokesperson Top Sopheak is optimistic that the city would be ready to host the Asean Tourism Forum in 2021, Asean Summit in 2022, and Asean Games in 2023.<\/p>\n

He says the average number of days guests spend in Cambodia is five days, which dipped from an average six days few years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are working on strengthening and expanding the tourism products to extend tourists\u2019 stay. This is in line with our effort to attract both first-timers while encouraging return visitors,\u201d Sopheak tells Capital Cambodia.<\/p>\n

Dell opines that the hospitality industry is in good stead, from a growth perspective. \u201cThe arrival of strong brands into the market is a good influence as it encourages existing players to raise their game, and inadvertently grow the city\u2019s profile,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Diversifying the sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe aim to strengthen and develop the current products and services by upscaling the professional skills in the tourism sector,\u201d says Sopheak.<\/p>\n

However, Sopheak says there have been initiatives to promote homestay services as alternative accommodation so that tourists can experience local lifestyle which is part of community-based tourism.<\/p>\n

The ministry sees the need to introduce community-based tourism, sports and adventure tourism, religious tourism, and eco and agro-tourism.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not worried about the overwhelming tourism numbers. More tourists mean more income to our economy while creating direct and indirect jobs in the industry but the growth in numbers comes with greater responsibility.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201c(It includes) being prepared for infrastructure support, environmental protection and sustainable development,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

Cambodian Association of Travel Agents advisor Ho Vandy says there is criticism that Cambodia does not receive quality tourists in terms of spending limit unlike its neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt strongly shows a lack of high-income tourists in the country. We have to provide good hotels and services with tour guides and good hospitality. Fake products and illegal gambling should not be promoted as an attraction,\u201d Vandy stresses.<\/p>\n

He adds that the government should directly promote Cambodia as an attraction overseas, instead of relying on agencies and associations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat way they would know what exactly is required while reducing reliance,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Government needs to bring in more quality tourists, expand the tourism sector to be on par with neighbouring countries<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2180,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":null,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":null,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[518,519,517],"yoast_head":"\nCambodian tourism in need of a shake-up - CapitalCambodia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Government needs to bring in more quality tourists, expand the tourism sector to be on par with neighbouring countries\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/capitalcambodia.com\/cambodian-tourism-in-need-of-a-shake-up\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cambodian tourism in need of a shake-up - 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