Cambodia would be a safe tourist destination once it reopens to visitors, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday, citing the government's efforts to vaccinate practically the entire population.

Mr Hun Sen said Cambodia will be secure for both domestic and foreign tourists once the Kingdom reopens its doors in a speech commemorating the 41st anniversary of World Tourism Day, which this year's subject is "TOURISM FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH."

 

In the face of new Covid-19 variations spreading globally and concern about the future, he added, the government has set important policies in timely vaccination programs and ongoing health measures, which are the basis for reopening economic and social activities in a "new normal" step by step.

 

The government hopes to vaccinate at least 91 percent of the 16 million people in the country.

 

According to the National Ad-hoc Commission for Covid-19 Vaccination's report, Cambodia had vaccinated 82.03 percent of the population as of Sunday.

 

“Given Cambodia's rapid vaccination rate, we are confident that tourism locations in Cambodia will be perceived as assuring safety and regaining the trust of local and foreign tourists,” he said.

 

“These elements, combined with the implementation of a ‘new normal' that adheres to health preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19, would encourage Cambodia to gradually resume domestic and international tourism operations while prioritizing public health,” Mr Hun Sen said.

 

In the fourth quarter of this year, the administration plans to reopen to vaccinated travelers.

 

Mr Hun Sen also urged interested parties, including local governments, the corporate sector, and development partners, to increase the creation and supply of tourism services for tourists.

 

He also advocated a "Cambodia Safe" campaign as one of the methods for attracting domestic and international tourists during the reopening phase and in the future.

 

In a press statement commemorating World Tourism Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that tourism continues to be severely harmed by the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a significant shock for industrialized economies, but it is a crisis for underdeveloped ones.

 

“With the livelihoods of many millions of people at risk, it is time to rethink, transform, and securely relaunch tourism,” Guterres said. “With the proper safeguards in place, the tourism sector can create decent jobs, assisting in the development of resilient, sustainable, gender-equal, and inclusive economies, as well as a society that works for everyone.”

 

Last year, the number of international tourists fell by 80.2 percent from the 6.6 million recorded in 2019, resulting in the loss of at least 110,000 jobs.

Good to hear that the Cambodian government are taking the necessary steps to open up their economy and tourism. I see some countries as well trying to follow the minimum health protocols by having their employees wear high-grade PPEs and scrubs. I just wish that the vaccination phase would be hasten to build immunity amongst tourists and locals.