Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism H.E. Thong Khon became a member of the European Tourism Academy this morning.
The designation ceremony was held in Phnom Penh under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong, representative of Prime Minster Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, and visiting H.E. Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.
He also laid stress on the significance of tourism sector in the socio-economic development of Cambodia through job creation, direct income augmentation and so on.
According to Tourism Minister H.E. Thong Khon, tourism has been regarded by the Royal Government of Cambodia as “Green Gold”. Last year, 5.6 million foreign tourists visited the Kingdom, a year-on-year increase of 11.8 percent, generating some US$3.63 billion as national income and over 620,000 direct jobs.
For the first five months of this year, Cambodia attracted 2.6 million foreign visitors, up 13.5 percent compared with the same period last year. The figure is expected to rise to about 6.2 million by the end of this year and to 7 million in 2020, generating about US$5 billion income and creating some 1 million direct jobs.
By 2030, the country looks forward to hosting 15 million international tourists bringing about an estimated income of US$10 billion for the country and two million direct jobs for the locals.
For local tourists, the number rose to more than 10.8 million in 2017 with an annual increase of 4-5 percent on average. By the end of 2018, over 11 million Cambodians are expected to travel to different tourist destinations in the country and the figure would grow to 19 million in 2025.
Europe and the Kingdom of Cambodia are entering into a new era of friendship and cooperation, was the conclusion of the meeting between President Dr. Anton Caragea and Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon.
During the official round table between Europe and Cambodia tourism head, Dr. Thong Khon, Tourism Minister of Cambodia was specially praised by Professor Dr. Anton Caragea for his vision and astute policies and devotion to the country development, under the glowing leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo- Dr. HUN SEN.
President Anton Caragea remarked that we are in the presence of a historical leader, of a person who rebuild it Cambodia from zero to hero status, and was always a symbol of the country resistance.
European Tourism leader, President Anton Caragea marked the main terms of cooperation with the Kingdom of Cambodia and outlined the main points of a three years plans (2017-2020) in fostering the tourism and cultural international presence of Cambodia in the world.
Minister Thong Khon voiced his special thanks to the European Council on Tourism and Trade and President Dr. Anton Caragea, as the President for awarding Cambodia the Awards of World Best Tourist Destination for 2016 and Favorite Cultural Destination for 2016 and to the European Tourism Academy for unanimously electing Samdech Techo Prime Minister as an Honorary Member of the European Tourism Academy.
The target of the three-year plan of cooperation with ECTT is to bring to life the forecasts for 2020, international tourist arrivals that is expected to rise to about 7 million people and to bring the total revenue of approximately US $ 5,000 million, creating job opportunities for nearly 1 million people.
Minister Thong Khon outlining his sector achievements at WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 function.
Minister Thong Khon outlined also for President Anton Caragea his office plans for a Best Hospitality Contest Movement and transforming the contest to the National Agenda by inspiring the citizens, officials, private sector, youth and development partners to join together in order to improve the service and hospitality better for contributing to the promotion of all tourist destinations in the Kingdom of Cambodia as the tourist destination with attractiveness, warmth, and providing memorable experiences for tourists with natural smile and greetings of Cambodian people.
President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and Minister Thong Khon had a photo taken with the participants at bilateral tourism meeting: Europe-Kingdom of Cambodia.
Concluding the official tourism delegations meeting, Europe`s President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had a photo taken with the participants and give an interview withCambodian National Television.
