Setting its sights on wider horizons, the tourism ministry held preliminary talks virtually with the world’s second largest cruise liner at the Ministry of Tourism in the capital Phnom Penh on Monday. Interacting with the delegation from Silversea Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group was Chuk Chumnor, Director General of Tourism Department and International Cooperation. Chuob Ratana, Director of the Department of Tourism Development Planning was also present at the meet, presenting key tourism data to the cruise delegation.
The meeting explored the possibility of adding Cambodia as a potential stop on their cruise itinerary in the region. Silversea Cruises is contemplating incorporating Cambodia in its package that links Hong Kong to Hoi An in Vietnam and Phuket in Thailand. Chuob in his presentation, mentioned the Kingdom’s tourist attractions in detail, in addition to visitor demographics, average tourist spending and popular travel seasons.
It was Chuob’s objective to make Silversea realise the potential of Cambodia as a worthy addition to their cruise route. Cambodia can potentially be the geographical link for the itineraries to connect from Vietnam and Thailand, said Chuob. The 440km long coastal zone is among the most beautiful bays in the world.
“If we look at the 2023 tourist arrivals in Cambodia, we welcomed 5.43 million international tourists. The modes of travel were divided into air 34.
2 percent (1.87million), land arrivals accounting for 85.8 p.
