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Yuk Sengponleur, tourism attaché of the Embassy of Cambodia in China [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Outbound tourism by Chinese citizens, which had been suspended for nearly three years, has gradually resumed since China optimized its COVID-19 response and entry-exit policies on Jan. 8. More than 2.87 million Chinese traveled abroad during the 2023 Spring Festival, up 120.5% from the same period last year, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Southeast Asian countries benefited the most from the surge of Chinese tourists during the festival, data from Chinese travel platform Ctrip showed.

In light of the current situation of the epidemic, China"s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Jan. 20 that it would resume outbound group tours for Chinese citizens on a trial basis, starting Feb. 6, with 20 pilot destinations, nearly half of which are in Southeast Asia, including Cambodia.

In an interview with China.org.cn, Yuk Sengponleur, tourism attaché of the Embassy of Cambodia in China, expressed his excitement about Cambodia being included in China"s first batch of 20 pilot destinations for outbound group travel. He said the return of Chinese tourists during the Spring Festival was an excellent start for Cambodia"s tourism industry in 2023.

He noted that China is a large and densely populated country, the world"s largest tourism market, and is close to Cambodia. The two countries maintain strong transportation links, including flights, and have established good cooperation and robust diplomatic ties. These factors have laid a solid foundation for constructing a community with a shared future for mankind, making it clear that the Chinese tourism market is a top-priority market for Cambodia. The vast potential of Chinese tourists, as well as Chinese investors, will drive the growth of tourism and boost Cambodia"s socioeconomic development.

He also mentioned that Cambodia had been following the World Tourism Organization"s guidance and had implemented various strategies and action plans to attract Chinese tourists, such as the "China Ready" strategy, which includes the establishment of a China Ready Center, language and culture training for officials and staff, Chinese-speaking tour guides, measures to attract Chinese investors, infrastructure support, and improved tourism services.

To welcome Chinese tourists, Cambodia has worked to improve seven areas of tourism services, including hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agents, resorts, supermarkets and souvenir shops. It has also established five criteria for customer services, including front-line staff who can speak Chinese, promoting Chinese language through digital means, Chinese product labels, and standard quality services.

He emphasized that Cambodia is ready and eager to welcome Chinese and international investors and tourists with open arms and without any health-related restrictions. He noted that since the announcement of its reopening in 2022, Cambodia has been steadily facilitating travel and removing health barriers.