Mr. Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, has made a compelling appeal to the Indian Embassy to keep 2025 recognized as the Cambodia-Ind...
Mr. Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, has made a compelling appeal to the Indian Embassy to keep 2025 recognized as the Cambodia-India Tourism Year. This initiative is intended to fortify the partnership between the two countries in promoting Cambodia as an attractive destination for Indian tourists, ultimately encouraging a greater influx of visitors from India and deepening the tourism bond between the nations.
This request came during the recent Cambodia-India Tourism Forum 2024, held on October 31, 2024. With the theme, "Indian Tourism Market Potential for Cambodian Tourism: Opportunities and Preparation," the forum attracted high-profile attendees, including Mr. Di Rado, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap; Mr. Vijay Shankar Padsad, a representative from the Embassy of India in Cambodia; and Ms. Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodian Tourism Association (CATA), among other officials and key players in the tourism industry.
Mr. Huot Hak underscored the Royal Government of Cambodia’s dedication, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment across all sectors, fostering what is often referred to as Cambodia’s “green gold”—tourism. This commitment has contributed to a tourism sector that not only consistently grows each year but also plays a vital role in the national economy, adding nearly 13% to Cambodia's GDP and generating numerous employment opportunities.
In 2023 alone, Cambodia welcomed approximately 5.45 million international tourists, of which around 690,000 were from India. Additionally, the country saw 18.5 million domestic travelers. Within the first eight months of 2024, international tourist arrivals reached 4.29 million, a 22.5% increase compared to the previous year, with approximately 50,000 visitors from India—a rise of 15.2%.
Mr. Huot Hak emphasized the long-standing ties between Cambodia and India, not only through tourism but also Indian investments in Cambodia. He highlighted Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its hospitality sector to better cater to Indian tourists and businesses. The growth in Indian tourism presents a significant opportunity to boost economic growth by stimulating investment across various industries.
Mr. Vijay Shankar Padsad shared that initiatives are in place to improve air connectivity between India and Cambodia, which will further support this tourism exchange. He congratulated Indigo Airlines on its upcoming direct flights connecting New Delhi to Phnom Penh and Kolkata to Siem Reap, scheduled to begin in February 2025. He expressed optimism that this increased connectivity would continue to foster stronger tourist flows between the two countries.
Speaking on behalf of Siem Reap, Mr. Di Rado reiterated the province's commitment to enhancing its tourism infrastructure, with ongoing developments in roads, bridges, utilities, and beautification projects to create a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for tourists. Siem Reap’s dedication to sustainable tourism practices helps preserve the natural and cultural resources that draw visitors, solidifying its place as a top destination.
He also thanked the Ministry of Tourism, the Embassy of India, CATA, and other involved organizations for making the forum a reality and for choosing Siem Reap as the venue for these impactful discussions.
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