PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government has been urged to announce a reopening date soon for the tourism sector with high season nearing.
Tourism players in the country said this after Prime Minister Hun Sen recently commented that there would be a relaxation in quarantine measures to help smooth the reopening process.
However he stopped short of giving a time-frame for the reopening, reports the Phnom Penh Post.
Hun Sen had also suggested a sandbox-like scheme such as those implemented in Thailand and Vietnam.
He had also indicated that tourists from China would probably be the first to arrive in the country.
In press conference with industry players, Cambodia Airports CEO Alain Brun welcomed Hun Sen's comments as it was a positive step for the service sector.
He called on the private sector to do its part and ensure that holidaymakers can safely travel across the country.
With the vaccination drive in Cambodia proceeding well, he added that the airline industry was all set to welcome back passengers.
Brun said Cambodia's three international airports were all in line with international safety standards and have clear measures to protect everyone, with effective rules.
"We guarantee that passengers will arrive at safe airports," he added.
"Travel today is safe in Cambodia, and that's due to the amazing work the government has been doing.
The airports are all ready to welcome back passengers."
Hamish Snow, country manager of Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, said the airline resumed full operations in July and was ready to work with other businesses to bring back travellers to the Cambodia.
Cathay Pacific offers four direct flights a week between Phnom Penh and Hong Kong, he said during the same press conference.
To resume flights in the future, he said they needed to work together to provide a safe experience for passengers.
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (Cata) president Chhay Sivlin emphasised that travel agencies and other tourist retail outlets need a proper heads up from the government to plan more comprehensive tour packages and promotions.
With the winter holiday break around the corner, "we have to hurry and turn Cambodia into a suitable option as a tourist destination in Asia, where holidaymakers are looking for countries with milder conditions to travel to."
Cambodia Destination Management Co (CamDmc) consultant Nick Ray noted that a prompt reopening could position the country as a standalone destination and not as an add-on destination.
"We want a step by step reopening of the country from now until the beginning of next year, when we are to fully reopen, in time for Cambodia to host the Asean Tourism Forum [from January 16-22]," he said.
He noted that about 60 countries have reopened without requiring quarantine, and called on Cambodia to consider doing the same.
"I believe that tourists would definitely choose a country that does not require quarantine stay, because tourists do not like it," said Ray, a long time Lonely Planet author.
Cata's Sivlin also pointed out that Covid-19 has led to the closure or suspension of about 3,000 tourism related businesses, leading to some 60,000 workers being furloughed.
These include hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, spas, massage parlours, travel agencies, adventure sport venues and karaoke clubs.