Siem Reap Tourism Master Plan has been officially launched

Compass Cambodia report - The Tourism Master Plan in Siem Reap is preparing for the return of international visitors. In a ceremony presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, the government officially unveiled the plan yesterday.

The plan spans from this year until 2035, with the goal of transforming Siem Reap and the surrounding area into a high-end tourist destination while minimizing the detrimental impact of big crowds visiting the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex.

The document was signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen in March. The official announcement comes after the government stated it would resume granting three-month electronic visas to visitors after cutting quarantine for most fully-vaccinated arrivals from 14 to seven days.

"In addition to the famous Angkor Wat and many other ancient temples that cover an area of 401 square kilometers and were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, Siem Reap also has many valuable resources such as the ancestral sacred land and former capital of the Khmer Empire, Phnom Kulen National Park, and the Tonle Sap Lake region, with its rich biodiversity and rare resources," Mr Hun Sen said. "With the rise of tourism establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and stores, Siem Reap city has been developing into a modern heritage city, whilst the surrounding area is embedded in the traditions that continue to be adhered to in local everyday life with the warm smiles of Khmer people."

Tourists are slowly returning after the local government lifted a two-week curfew on parts of Siem Reap. Over 30,000 domestic tourists visited Angkor Wat during the three-day Pchum Ben vacation earlier this month.

The government seeks to develop the city and province while safeguarding Angkor Wat by following two core strategies: long-term management of tangible and intangible historic assets of exceptional worth, and responsible and inclusive development that considers local socioeconomic benefits.

A new international airport is under construction, with a capacity of more than 20 million passengers per year once the last phase is done, compared to the current 5 million passenger capacity. According to the government, Siem Reap might get roughly 10.9 million domestic and 7.5 million international tourists by 2035 as a result of the master plan and other activities aimed at attracting "alternative" and "high quality" tourists. Cambodia's economic revival depends on tourism. It generated more than $4.9 billion in revenue and 630,000 direct jobs in 2019, contributing more than 12% of GDP. Tourists spent $1.2 billion in Siem Reap alone, generating 248,000 jobs.

Source: Compass Cambodia comprehensive arrangement, Khmertime

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