Early bird tickets on sale for RWMF 2023

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April 17, 2023

KUCHING, 17 APRIL 2023: Ticket sales got off to a good start at the weekend for the upcoming Rainforest World Music Festival prompting the Sarawak Tourism Board to forecast more than 20,000 music lovers will attend the 23 to 25 June festival.

The annual festival organised by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will see musicians and fans of world music worldwide assembling for the 26th RWMF.

Ticket prices start with early bird purchases – Adult 1-Day Pass Fri/Sun (MYR190), Adult 1-Day Pass Sat (MYR220), Adult 2-Day Pass Fri + Sat / Sat + Sun (MYR360), Adult 3-Day Pass (MYR480), and Child 1-Day Pass Fri/Sat/Sun (MYR80). Tickets are available on the Klook platform, which is RWMF 2023’s official ticketing agent.

STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said: “STB anticipates 20,000 visitors with strong and enthusiastic returns from past and new participants to experience RWMF 2023. Do mark your calendars for 15 April, when the ticket sales for the event begin, as that will be the start of the early bird ticket sales. Take advantage of this opportunity and purchase your tickets at a discounted rate.”

The festival’s lineup will feature 199 musicians from 12 countries, from four continents, including Grammy Awards winner Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo from France of such hits as ‘Djobi Djoba’ and ‘Bamboleo’ set to enthral visitors with their pop-oriented music, distantly derived from traditional flamenco and rumba genres.

An exciting lineup includes international performers ‘Big Mountain’ from Jamaica and the USA, best known for their smash hit “Baby I Love Your Way”, ‘Safi Theatre’ from Tanzania, ‘Rastak’ from Iran, ‘Fasylive’ from Maldives, ‘Afriquoi’ from the United Kingdom, ‘Chatusram’ from India, ‘Rizal Hadi & Folk’ from Indonesia and ‘Ethno Thai Fusion Sound Band‘ from Thailand. The lineup will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Local musical talents set to perform at RWMF 2023 include Zee Avi, Suk Binie, Aseana Percussion Unit, Nadir, Steve Thornton & Afroasia, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Bekocak, At Adau, Meruked, and Orang Orang Drum Theatre.

More info on the musical lineup and ticketing can be found on the Rainforest World Music Festival’s official website at https://rwmf.net/.

(Your Stories: Sarawak Tourism Board)

Emirate celebrates Eid al Fitr

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April 17, 2023

DUBAI, UAE, 17 April 2023: Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr is expected to begin 20 to 21 April, and Emirates will mark the occasion with an array of regional flavours onboard, traditional Eid dishes in the lounges, and new Arabic movies and content on ice.

From the 21 to 24 April, economy passengers departing Dubai will be treated to the flavoursome favourites of Eid, including chicken mandi in traditional spices, served with rice and crunchy fried onions, fish harra- a baked dory with spiced tomato sauce, accompanied by ghee rice and roasted pistachios, braised lamb with jameed, served with rice, roasted cashew nuts and almonds, or a seafood machbouse marinated in a myriad of Middle Eastern spices. Passengers travelling in premium economy, business and first class will enjoy dishes like fish matfy, a Middle Eastern-style fish in tomato sauce served with basmati rice, or a marinated chicken tahta with Emirati spices, served with dill rice, roasted potatoes, aubergine and carrots, a roasted beef madfoon in classic spices with vegetables, served with aromatic rice, or a tender Gulf-style braised lamb with vegetables and fragrant basmati rice.

Sometimes known as the ‘sweet Eid’, Eid al Fitr is renowned for its sugary delights savoured after a month of fasting, and Emirates will be offering passengers plenty of delicious desserts, such as warm date pudding garnished with fresh berries, dates and pistachios in First Class, a fluffy vanilla sponge cake with white chocolate and hibiscus cream in Business and Premium Economy Class, and Batheetha – a sumptuous saffron date crumble, or a sweet pumpkin Asseda, topped with roasted cashew nuts in Economy Class. In the onboard A380 lounge, there will be a selection of Emirati pastries to relish, or passengers can help themselves to a decadent slice of Arabic coffee cake adorned with fresh berries, dates, and pistachios. All passengers will also receive an additional mini treat of ashta sfouf with their meal wishing them ‘Eid Mubarak,’ – a sweet turmeric and sesame cake with cream.

In Dubai’s airport lounges on the 21 April, First Class passengers can explore a wide selection of lounge fare, which will include Arabic coffee, jallab and kamarruddin juice, hot and cold Arabic mezzeh, lamb ouzi or Emirati ouzi served with dakous and coriander mint raita, followed by all-time favourite kunafa with pistachio and baklava ice-cream. Passengers relaxing in the First Class lounge will also be invited to try Eid mocktail creations like the ‘Sumacgroni’, combining red grapes, orange juice, bitter syrup, sumac powder, and Zaatar leaves, or the ‘Coco Sahlab’ – a combination of coconut cream, almond and agave syrup with a sprinkle of pistachio powder.

In the business class lounges of Dubai there will be classic shish taouk with harissa red pepper dip, alongside more Eid mocktails such as the ‘Rumman Cooler’ – a refreshing beverage combining rose and vanilla flavoured Ceylon tea, grenadine and date syrup, or the ‘Mint Blossom’, a mix of green apple and lemon juice, agave and mint leaves. Both lounges will have tempting desserts available throughout the day like mafroukeh pistachio, katayef walnut, asifiri ashta, baklawa pistachio finger, sweet cashew kol w shkor, or passengers can take a stroll to the Emirates old-fashioned ice cream cart in the lounge to enjoy homemade Baklava and Arabic coffee ice cream, specially made for Eid celebrations.

A variety of content will be available on the award-winning ice inflight entertainment for those travelling over Eid al Adha, including more than 100 Arabic films, including new releases – Mako, Banat Abdul Rahman, Kharouf Al Eid and more, 30 channels of Arabic TV series, 16 channels of Arabic podcasts and audiobooks, The Holy Qur’an, and more than 500 channels of Arabic music including pop, classics, Khaleeji, Maghrebi and Arabic fusion.

For flights and booking information, visit: www.emirates.com.

(Your Stories: Emirates)

WebBeds names regional sales director

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April 17, 2023

SINGAPORE, 17 April 2023: WebBeds, a global accommodation and ground product distribution service targeting the travel industry, promotes Felipe Vidal to the post of WebBeds’ regional director of sales – Southern Europe.

WebBeds has promoted talent from within its ranks to fill the regional director of sales – Southern Europe vacancy.

Previously Head of XML Sales Iberia, Felipe Vidal’s promotion emphasises the role of the Southern Europe region as one of the company’s fastest-growing sales regions. Vidal will be responsible for retail and XML sales across Iberia, Italy, Greece and Israel.

WebBeds senior vice president of sales, Europe, Lola Diaz said: “I have worked with Felipe for many years, and his experience and knowledge will be invaluable in helping us grow the business and achieve our very ambitious growth targets in Southern Europe. Felipe brings many years of experience to the role, having worked in account management and strategic sales at JacTravel and Veturis in Spain.”

About WebBeds

Launched in 2013, WebBeds is a global marketplace for the travel trade, providing powerful distribution solutions that make selling and buying travel products easier. It sources accommodation and destination services from suppliers, through the WebBeds platform and distributes travel content to travel trade buyers, who sell to the travelling public.

The top 10 foodie capitals of the world

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April 17, 2023

SINGAPORE, 17 April 2023: Culinary travel is on the rise, with the prospect of tasting authentic international cuisine enough reason for hungry British tourists to travel thousands of miles yearly.

Travel experts at the UK-based luxury cruise agent Panache Cruises reveal the top locations for British tourists to indulge in delicious food worldwide.

The growth of culinary tourism has seen foodies flock to regions far and wide to try something new, with research revealing six in ten holidaymakers go abroad purely for food.

The study also found 41% said they’d be willing to travel long distances to track down the ‘perfect’ meal.

The top 10 spots for Brits to discover their new favourite dishes include Tokyo, Paris and New York. Still, they travel much further, as far as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok, to taste the authentic dishes of Asia.

Market Data Forecast* anticipates the global culinary tourism market will have a value of over USD3.4 billion by 2028 from USD1.3 billion last year, with so many jumping at the chance to discover incredible bars, hidden gems and restaurants.

Luxury cruise specialists Panache Cruises’ founder and managing director James Cole said: “Lots of holidaymakers are fascinated with food and find it fun to learn about international cuisine while they are away.

“Different parts of the world are full of unique culinary destinations that people can’t experience in the UK, so it is well worth exploring while away and trying something you have never had before.

“For many foodies, visiting the cities with the most Michelin stars, boasting exceptional cooking techniques and incredible ingredient and flavour quality, is a must. For others, it is all about the cultural and historical experience an authentic local cuisine provides.

“With people branching out to explore new places, the global culinary tourism market is expected to make billions in the next few years.”

Here are Panache Cruises’ Top 10 cities to help guide foodies on their gastronomic adventures.

1. Japan, Tokyo

As of 2023, Tokyo has the world’s most Michelin-starred restaurants, over 200 of them. Their culinary scene is packed to an exceptional standard and often credited to traditional street vendors who are incredible at adding a Japanese twist to foreign dishes.

2. France, Paris

Paris is one of the world’s gastronomic capitals, and it is renowned for its Michelin-starred restaurants, top chefs, and its wealth of food, especially its brunches and sweet treats. Tempting patisseries, chocolatiers and fromageries are everywhere, making the city a dream destination for foodies.

3. Hong Kong

Known as one of the best cities in Asia for foodies, Hong Kong has the highest density of restaurants in the world and is referred to as the “World’s Food Fair.” It has it all; from street food to fine luxury dining, there is an extraordinary array of classic, traditional, and fusion dishes, from hot pot to snake soup.

4. New York, USA

New York is full of iconic and old-school dishes and has arguably shaped the modern Western dining scene with pizza, burgers, bagels, and cheesecake. Over the years, the range of food has expanded into cuisines from across the globe – making food from all over the world accessible in one place.

5. London, UK

London is a global gourmet destination with award-winning restaurants and critically acclaimed chefs. The dining scene in the city is incredibly vibrant and versatile, bustling with high-end luxury experiences, food markets and traditional establishments with a classic British flare.

6. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is the best place in the world to eat authentic Thai food. It has long been declared the world’s street food capital, bustling with street vendors and pop-up stalls. Not only is the food fresh and delicious, but it is also very cheap.

7. Singapore

Singapore is famous for its traditional fresh dishes submerged in herbs and spices and rich in taste and flavour. China, Malaysia, and India heavily influence its culinary styles, and while most of the food is traditional, it has delicious modern touches.

8. Berlin, Germany

Known for its flourishing food scene inspired by its global population, Berlin has seen an increase in innovative chefs setting up restaurants and pop-ups. It is not all side-of-the-road sausages; there is an array of dining options, including Michelin-starred cuisine.

9. Barcelona, Spain

A vast range of traditional local dishes is available in Barcelona, voted the best Spanish city for food. Their famous Catalonian dishes are seafood-heavy, nutritious, rich in herbs and spices, and the perfect light bites for summer.

10. Rome, Italy

Situated in the heart of Italy, known for its long-standing love of eating out and its rich sense of tradition, Rome’s cuisine is tasty, robust, and full of carbs. Best known for its pasta and pizza, masses of rustic trattorias are waiting to serve its simple and loved food.

(Source: https://www.panachecruises.com/)

*https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/culinary-tourism-market

Travel acquisitions drop in Q1

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April 17, 2023

SINGAPORE, 17 April 2023: Globally, 179 mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and venture financing deals were announced in the travel and tourism sector during the first quarter of 2023.

It represents a 40.7% decline compared to the announcement of 302 deals during the same period in 2022, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

All the deal types under coverage witnessed a considerable year-on-year (YoY) decline in deal volume in Q1 2023. The numbers of mergers & acquisitions (M&A), venture financing, and private equity deals fell by 42.9%, 29.4%, and 50% during Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022, respectively.

GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose commented: “Deal activity in the travel and tourism sector witnessed a significant drop across all the regions in the first quarter of 2023 as economic uncertainties and geo-political tensions caused a rise in fuel costs and prices for several utilities.”

Deals volume fell sharply by 43.3% for the travel and tourism sector in the North American region. At the same time, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America experienced a decline in deals volume by 45.6%, 34.7%, 10%, and 60% in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022, respectively.

Bose adds: “The decline could be attributed to deal activity suffering setbacks in most key markets across all regions.”

Deal activity in major countries such as the US, the UK, Japan, India, Spain, and Australia decreased by 45%, 41.9%, 50%, 56.3%, 50%, and 66.7%, respectively, during Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022.

Meanwhile, China and France managed to showcase some improvement, but it was not enough to offset the impact of the decline experienced in other countries.

(Source: GlobalData)

Visit: https://www.globaldata.com/

BA launches exclusive reward seat flights

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April 17, 2023

SINGAPORE, 17 April 2023: British Airways has launched its first Avios-Only flights, on which 100% of the seats are exclusively available to Executive Club members as reward seats.

The first Avios-Only flight will be the inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh on 3 November 2023, followed by three more flights from London Heathrow to Geneva in February and March 2024. More routes will be announced throughout 2023. All the announced flights are available for bookings starting last week.

Return flights to Sharm El Sheikh are bookable for as little as £1 + 27,500 Avios per person, with a companion voucher option to further reduce travel costs. Club Europe (business class) fares start from £1 + 48,500 Avios. The Egyptian holiday hotspot recently became the latest addition to the network of British Airways’ London Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer.

Following this, the next Avios-Only flight will be the BA728 from London Heathrow to Geneva on the dates below. Flights will be from £1 + 18,500 Avios per person, with options from £1 + 30,000 Avios in Club Europe. The respective BA729 return flights will operate as Avios-Only flights a week later.

10 February 2024
17 February 2024
24 February 2024
02 March 2024

Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 reward seats on short and long-haul flights, respectively, and this will be the first flight with every seat available to purchase using Avios. Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com, with a selection of return options available as reward seats.

The new Sharm El Sheikh route will be operated by BA Euroflyer three times per week throughout the winter season, with a fourth service on Saturdays until 15 December 2023.

About BA Euroflyer

Based at London Gatwick Airport, BA Euroflyer is a wholly-owned subsidiary of British Airways. Across summer and winter schedules, it offers nearly 40 short-haul destinations to popular leisure destinations.

Avios-Only flight costs

LONDON GATWICK TO SHARM EL SHEIKH (OFF-PEAK)

Euro Traveller (economy) return:

£1 + 27,500 Avios
£9 + 26,000 Avios
£25 + 23,500 Avios
£35 + 18,500 Avios
£91 + 12,500 Avios
£121 + 8,500 Avios

Club Europe (business class) return:

£1 + 48,500 Avios
£9 + 47,000 Avios
£35 + 38,500 Avios
£50 _35,500 Avios
£95 + 26,500 Avios
£141 + 19,500 Avios

LONDON HEATHROW TO GENEVA (OFF-PEAK)

Euro Traveller (economy) return:

£1 + 18,500 Avios
£9 + 17,000 Avios
£18 + 14,500 Avios
£35 + 9,500 Avios
£65 + 7,400 Avios
£85 + 5,900 Avios

Club Europe (business class) return:

£1 + 30,000 Avios
£9 + 28,500 Avios
£25 + 23,500 Avios
£50 + 17,000 Avios
£85 + 13,000 Avios
£125 + 10,500 Avios

Ramadan travel falls short

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April 17, 2023

SINGAPORE, 17 April 2023: Despite positive recovery trends, Ramadan travel this year remains far behind the heights it reached before the pandemic in 2019, according to ForwardKeys vice president insights, Olivier Ponti.

However, a major factor in assessing the recovery of Ramadan travel is the dates when the festival falls due. In 2019 Eid al-Fitr was in June, a much better time of the year to travel, as the end of Ramadan was close to the start of the long summer school holidays in Saudi Arabia.

That said, as of 31 March, outbound flight bookings from the GCC states for the three weeks running up to Eid Al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, were 38% behind where they were in the equivalent period in 2019; and for the three weeks after Eid al-Fitr, they are 67% behind.

GCC outbound flight bookings for the peak Ramadan holiday period, 14 to 24 April, are better, 32% behind 2019. Flight bookings from Saudi Arabia are 44% behind but travel from other major GCC countries is recovering stronger, with Kuwait 27% behind, Qatar 11% behind, UAE 6% behind and Bahrain 2% ahead.

Flight bookings to GCC countries are more encouraging, currently 12% behind 2019 data. The major drag is travel to Saudi Arabia, where flight bookings are 40% behind levels reached in 2019, and bookings for Kuwait are 43% behind. However, bookings for Bahrain are 16% ahead, and Qatar, UAE, and Oman are 39%, 47% and 48% ahead, respectively.

Analysis of where Ramadan holidaymakers from GCC countries are going reveals that the top trending destination is the Maldives, 177% ahead of 2019. It is also benefitting from a surge in affluent visitors, as evidenced by a nine-percentage point increase in the share of premium cabin bookings. Qatar follows it, 91% ahead, Thailand 65% ahead, the Netherlands 37% ahead, Pakistan 25% ahead, UAE 22% ahead, Italy 20% ahead, France 14% ahead and the UK 1% ahead.”

For more information visit www.forwardKeys.com

(Source: ForwardKeys)

Cebu Pacific flies to Laoag

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April 12, 2023

MANILA, 12 April 2023: Cebu Pacific confirms this week it will expand its north Luzon network by launching flights between Manila and Laoag, allowing more travellers to explore the landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Ilocandia.

Starting 22 May, CEB will fly daily between Manila and Laoag, making it the 35^th domestic destination in the airline’s domestic network.

“Laoag plays a crucial role in preserving the country’s rich history and culture, and we are excited to finally be able to bring more Juans to this beautiful city. We hope launching the Laoag route will encourage more people to travel and experience the Ilocos region,” said Xander Lao, Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer.

Laoag, just a one-hour flight from Manila, is the capital of Ilocos Norte and serves as a jump-off point to many of the province’s most popular tourist destinations.

The top attractions include a sandboarding adventure on the La Paz Sand Dunes, the centuries-old Spanish colonial buildings, and taking a photo of the sinking bell tower of the St. William’s Cathedral.

From Laoag, travellers can also reach other attractions in the Ilocos Region, such as the Paoay Church and the white sand beaches of Pagudpud.

CEB flies to 34 domestic and 25 international destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Move to MITEC works for MATTA Fair

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April 12, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 April 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) confirmed that the move to the MITEC venue worked with more than 180,000 travel consumers visiting the MATTA Fair the three days, 17 to 19 March 2023.

The event moved this year to the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, ending decades of hosting at the city’s World Trade Centre.

From left to right: Aaron Bong Ken Jin, Deputy General Manager Marketing, Malaysia Book of Records. YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC). Datuk Tan Kok Liang, President of MATTA.

During a media briefing that reviewed the MATTA Fair performance, MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the fair fielded 1,416 booths covering an area of 39,000 square metres of exhibition space, enabling the Malaysia Book of Records to recognise the event as the country’s largest International Travel Fair.

Leading exhibitors attending the show included 19 National Tourism Organizations (NTO), 13 State Tourism Organizations (STO), and over 220 corporate exhibitors.

Numerous new and upcoming destinations, such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Uganda, Kyrgyzstan and Zimbabwe, increased their presence during the show.

Total sales turnover was slightly more than MYR300 million, with domestic sales alone accounting for MYR 34 million. Average spending per customer increased across all tourism verticals, demonstrating that there was still plenty of pent-up demand for travel and that consumers remained confident in their spending despite the global economic downturn.

“We are overjoyed because this 52nd edition, which is also our first at MITEC, has surpassed previous records regarding capacity, visitor turnout, and sales recorded,” said Tan.

“We did this by venturing outside our comfort zone to take up a much larger venue and overcoming numerous obstacles to meet the expectations of exhibitors and visitors. The last MATTA Fair, held in September 2022 at the World Trade Centre, had over 43,000 visitors and featured 536 booths”.

“The enormous success reflects Malaysians’ increased desire to travel domestically and internationally. Travel continues to enrich our lives and will continue to do so in the future. Travel is a way of life for Malaysians. However, today’s vacationers are budget conscious and seek value-for-money packages,” added Tan.

Feedback from exhibitors indicated that for the domestic sector, Sabah, Terengganu and Kedah were the top three destinations as consumers prefer to buy packages due to logistics factors. Korea, Japan and Vietnam topped the list for Far East Asia. For the long-haul sector, European countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Italy remained the top destination, followed by Turkiye.

Buyers’ Contest data showed Malaysia leading the top 10 destinations, followed by Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Thailand, the UK and Indonesia. Data also indicated that travel packages from more than 75 international destinations spanning the North Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia were also purchased during the fair.

Key cities for international air ticket bookings were London, Melbourne, Osaka, Narita, Bangkok, Incheon, Sydney and Bali, driven by attractive airfares.

“The MATTA Fair provides consumers with the opportunity to purchase directly from licensed travel agencies and tour operators – this is also an indicator that the travel agency and tour operator business is not only sustainable but highly relevant in today’s modern world,” Tan explained.

The next MATTA Fair will be held at MITEC Kuala Lumpur from 1 to 3 September 2023. It should attract an even larger turnout with the China market making a solid comeback and with the resumption of more international flights directly to Malaysia,” Tan concluded.

Cambodia maps out tourism goals

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April 12, 2023

PHNOM PENH, 12 April 2023: Ahead of the Mekong Tourism Forum in Preah Sihanoukville on 26 April, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, outlines his country’s targets for tourism, aviation and dispersing a new generation of visitors beyond Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh.

Q: What are your targets for Cambodian tourism in 2023?

A: The target for Cambodia’s tourism in 2023 is to increase the number of international tourist arrivals from 4 to 4.5 million. Cambodia hosts the Southeast Asian Games 2023 in May, a major tourist event.

Q: Is there a new emphasis or focus on Cambodia’s 2023 tourism promotion campaigns?

A: Our focus is “Visit Cambodia Year 2023”. It has the theme “MICE and Sports” and the slogan “Every Day is A Wonder”. Apart from the SEA Games, we also have the 12th ASEAN Para Games from 3 to 9 June in Phnom Penh, with the theme, “Sports Live In Peace”. There’s also the Mekong Tourism Forum 2023 in Sihanoukville from 25 to 27 April on “Rethinking for Resilience and Digitalization”.

Q: How has tourism in Cambodia changed since the pandemic?

A: Like many other countries, Cambodia faced a big challenge from the global Covid-19 pandemic. The number of international arrivals dropped from 6.6 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2020 and to only 200,000 in 2021. With tourism coming back, there have been some positives.

Cambodia became the first country in ASEAN to fully re-open for international travellers in October 2022. That helped increase international arrivals to 2.23 million by the end of 2022. Cambodia expects to receive around 4 million international visitors by the end of 2023, 5 million in 2024 and 7 million in 2025.

We developed new tourism infrastructure during the pandemic, such as 38 new roads in Siem Reap, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway, and the new Siem Reap International Airport, due for completion in Q3 this year. The new Techo Takhmao International Airport south of Phnom Penh will complete its first phase in mid-2024.

Q: What changes to the aviation sector are you encouraging to boost Cambodia’s tourism?

A: By March 2028, we plan to have 33 airlines connecting to Cambodia through three international airports with an average of 494 flights per week or 988 movements. The government aims to boost the influx of international tourists and new airlines by applying tax incentives and reducing or waiving landing fees. We are investing a lot in two new airports: Kandal province, just south of Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap.

Q: What policies do you have to disperse tourism from Angkor Wat to other parts of Cambodia?

A: Initially, foreign tourists visiting Cambodia wished to see only Angkor Wat temple. Through the preparation of new tour packages, tourists are now starting to enjoy more nature tourism, adventure activities, community-based tourism, ecotourism and learning about the lives of people and local food. We want to attract tourists away from Angkor Wat to help poorer areas develop.

Q: What role does the upcoming Mekong Tourism Forum in Preah Sihanouk play in Cambodia’s tourism future?

A: The Mekong Tourism Forum is vital in discussing critical issues and emerging trends among regional tourism stakeholders. With the theme Rethinking for Resilience and Digitalisation, forum attendees will discuss sustainable food systems, fostering women’s empowerment, accelerating digitalisation, and upskilling the tourism workforce.

For the MTF programme, click here

Or visit: https://mekon g tourism.org/mekong-tourism-forum-2023/

Early bird tickets on sale for RWMF 2023

Emirate celebrates Eid al Fitr

WebBeds names regional sales director

The top 10 foodie capitals of the world

Travel acquisitions drop in Q1

BA launches exclusive reward seat flights

Ramadan travel falls short

Cebu Pacific flies to Laoag

Move to MITEC works for MATTA Fair

Cambodia maps out tourism goals

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