RECOVERY ROADMAP
During the pandemic, tourism-related businesses had been boosted by various levels of tax reduction while those in the industry who lost their own jobs were given US$40 in monthly pay-out odds.
But beyond such handouts, the government required more solid plans to chart its recovery from the disastrous effects of COVID-19.
Enter an ambitious roadmap set out by Cambodia’s tourism ministry in 2021.
In Angkor Wat, the particular Apsara National Authority used the downtime to refresh parts of the temple. And all this particular while, everyone kept their jobs: Not a single worker from the more than 4, 1000 at Angkor Wat was dismissed, mentioned spokesperson Long Kosal.
Rather, they were put to function. “Prior to the outbreak, we saw many visitors from across the world, roaming around the brow. There was no time for your temple to relax, ” Mr Lengthy Kosal said.
“One of the enhancements we made (during the downtime) was obviously a sprinkler system to ensure that we can water the grass during the dry season, so it is always green. inch
The entrance of Angkor Wat was also cleaned upward. Stalls, previously grouped near the entrance, were moved to another region.
Apsara Nationwide Authority is also looking into improving walkways plus making them more wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.
On top of that, Apsara Nationwide Authority plans in order to jumpstart local ethnic tours around Angkor Wat and in Siem Reap.
You will find plans to revive ox cart tours that could ply nearby towns where tourists can see local craftsmen at the job, making traditional drums out of tree trunks and wooden toy souvenirs.
Cambodia’s master plan consists of improving the country’s linkages by accelerating the building of a new international airport in the funds Phnom Penh and constructing more streets and bridges.
When completed, it really is hoped that this kind of infrastructure can help divert tourists to the less-explored parts of Cambodia.
CALL OF THE WILD
Whilst foreign visitors slowed down to a trickle throughout the two-year lockdown, nearby tourists provided some much-needed relief for your battered industry.
For all of 2020 and 2021, around 300, 000 people visited eco-tourism sights. In 2021 alone, the figure proceeded to go up to about a half million.
Cambodian Ministry of Tourism Secretary of Condition Neth Pheaktra said he hopes locals – who have started appreciating natural websites in their own backyard – can help spread the word to the rest of the world.
“Ecotourism is very important for us due to the fact they’re new destinations tapping the surroundings of Cambodia, inch Mr Pheaktra said.
“We possess forests, rice fields, community living. They can potentially attract a lot more foreign tourists to see while getting the locals to love their country at the same time. ”