Sixty-nine Thai travel operators will meet with 40 Cambodian operators from 29 companies on Saturday in Sihanoukville in a bid to improve relations and promote each country's respective tourist destinations, Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said yesterday.
"Since the recent elections and change of government in Thailand, the political climate is expected to improve," Mr Kim Eang said. "In July, Cambodian tourism representatives [from CATA] visit Cambodia."
Mr Kim Eang said the aim of the working trips was to share knowledge of the two countries' tourism sectors.
"We want Thailand to better understand the tourism opportunities in Cambodia, particularly its beaches and marine life," he said, adding that the meeting would be held at the Sokha Beach Hotel, one of only a handful of upscale hotels to have set up in the coastal city of Sihanoukville.
The meeting also presents itself as an opportunity for Cambodia to boost stronger ties with Thailand. Relations have been strained over a border dispute in Preah Vihear province since 2008, and there were four days of deadly fighting between troops on both sides of the border near Preah Vihear temple, a World Heritage site, in February. Mr Kim Eang stressed, however, that Preah Vihear temple would not dominate the talks, adding:"Cambodia has lots to offer Thai tourists." China's official state news agency Xinhua reported yesterday that government statistics showed that the number of Thai tourists coming to Cambodia had fallen to 48,136 over the first six months of this year, compared with 75,695 over the same period last year.
Mr Kim Eang said that CATA was planning to hold another meeting for travel agents in late September at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap province. He said he is expecting between 150 to 200 Thai tour operators to attend.
No comments:
Post a Comment