Cambodia needs to imitate Thailand

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

By Barry Kenyon

Thailand is riding high on its new visa-exempt policy which allows most international tourists to enter the country without prior approval or payment of a fee. China, India, Russia, the UK, EU, US, Australia, Asean partners and a bunch of other countries all currently have the privilege for a 30 days free tourist entry (90 in the case of Russia and South Korea). With overall numbers now almost at pre-covid levels, over 85 percent of actual arrivals at Thailand’s airports are covered by the visa-free policy.

Meanwhile, Cambodia still imposes a US$30 entry tax on almost all international tourist arrivals, the exceptions being neighboring states. This means that even Cambodia’s biggest short-haul market – the Chinese – all have to pay the tax for a maximum of 30 days stay. The Cambodian premier Hun Manet frequently boasts that once the newly-opened Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and the under-construction Phnom Penh Takhmao International Airport are fully operational in 2025, Chinese arrivals will swell further.

The fly in the ointment could be the strong possibility that Thailand could have legal casinos in operation within two years. The opposition to that notion is now much weaker than, say, 10 years ago. But Daniel Li, a gaming expert and senior consultant to the Cambodian regulator Naga, says the Phnom Penh government needs to introduce a visa-exempt policy now to anticipate stiff competition from Thailand.

“After Covid, we have seen a sharp drop in flights and arrivals,” said Mr Li. “ If a visa-free policy is introduced between, initially, Cambodia and China, we can expect more visitors coming from the world’s second-most populous country.” Based on data from NagaCorp’s annual financial results, direct flights from the Greater China region to Cambodia have only recovered 26 percent compared with 2019.

The pressures on Cambodia to abandon its tourist entry free structure on a wider scale are growing anyway. The Thai premier Srettha Thavisin is busy promoting the idea of a mini-Schengen regional agreement whereby international holidaymakers will be able to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos and Vietnam without additional documentation once they have an initial entry stamp to any one of these five partners. Cambodia’s current US$30 entry fee is a significant obstacle in the way of freedom to travel across the Asean region. The prospect of casino gambling in Thailand could be the significant arm twister on Phom Penh.

[vinapu]

while I'm all for that mini-Schengen idea and abolishing visas, loss of that 30$  revenue for small and poor country like Cambodia not necessarily would be compensated in government coffers by increased traffic

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

Cambodia and Thailand offer very different marketing strategies

By Barry Kenyon

Whilst the Thai premier Srettha Thavisin is pushing for international tourist growth by traditional means, Cambodian authorities are adopting a “dark” visitor scenario which urges visitors to delve into the country’s tragic past. The Cambodian tourist authority has upgraded facilities at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, both based in or near Phnom Penh and the scene of atrocities associated with the Khmer Rouge era of the 1970s.

Cambodia also hopes to have a bumper Khmer New Year festival (April 13-16) by promoting the eating of fried insects which are said to be full of protein and taste just fine. Hotels and businesses have been told to display the national flag outside their premises and images of the Royal family inside. They are also instructed to provide parking lots with clear signage to avoid vehicles blocking roads and highways.

Meanwhile, Thailand has adopted a five point marketing plan according to the prime minister. These include providing a positive experience (24 hour helplines for example), encouraging Thai food and culture, exploring secondary provinces rather than the usual tourist centers and hosting world class events in sport and music. The fifth strand is to push for seamless travel in the Asean region by a “mini Schengen”, the idea that a visa for one country would remove the need to apply for a separate one to visit neighboring ones.

Brian Williams, whose UK agency specializes in holidays to south east Asia, said both Thailand and Cambodia were seeking new strategies to promote a further growth in international arrivals. “Cambodia is trying to diversify its attractions beyond the archaeological ruins of Angkor Wat, whilst Thailand is adopting user-friendly strategies in its appeal.” He added that Thailand was also looking at extending its government-funded insurance schemes to cover foreigners hurt or killed in road and water accidents.

[vinapu]

9 hours ago, reader said:

 Cambodian authorities are adopting a “dark” visitor scenario which urges visitors to delve into the country’s tragic past. The Cambodian tourist authority has upgraded facilities at the Tuol Sleng genocide museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields,

I agree with Mr. Kenyon, It makes goose bumps while walking Phnom Penh streets and seeing buses and vans with prominent signage " Killing Fields Tours" 

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

I agree with Mr. Kenyon, It makes goose bumps while walking Phnom Penh streets and seeing buses and vans with prominent signage " Killing Fields Tours" 

I also agree, especially  when Hun Sen, who still controls the country, though he has now installed his son as PM, is a previous Khmer Rouge apparatchik.  And a billionaire!

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I also agree, especially  when Hun Sen, who still controls the country, though he has now installed his son as PM, is a previous Khmer Rouge apparatchik.  

Lets not forget that when Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh at end of April 1975 they were enthusiastically welcomed by the population. It was very short lived enthusiasm, day or two but still it was so entrenched was hatred of former Lon Nol regime and his backers , Indians from Potomac river, ahem

[Keithambrose]

6 hours ago, vinapu said:

Lets not forget that when Khmer Rouge entered Phnom Penh at end of April 1975 they were enthusiastically welcomed by the population. It was very short lived enthusiasm, day or two but still it was so entrenched was hatred of former Lon Nol regime and his backers , Indians from Potomac river, ahem

Quite, Hitler? Mussolini, etc...