Fifth Annual Japan Travel Fair Celebrates Tourism and Diplomatic Ties in Cambodia
The fifth annual Japan Travel Fair, an initiative of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), unfolded at AEON Mall I in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on December 9 and 10. The event was a cultural celebration, intertwining the threads of traditional and modern Japanese culture, with the primary goal of fostering tourism between Japan and Cambodia.
Japan’s Tourism Goals and Achievements
The Japanese ambassador, Atsushi Ueno, spotlighted Japan’s ambitious target of welcoming 60 million foreign visitors annually by 2030. Ueno also underscored the resilience of Japan’s tourism sector, which has rebounded post-Covid, registering numbers that eclipse pre-pandemic levels.
Japan’s Reach-Out to Cambodian Tourists
To cater to the Cambodian tourists, whose count stood at 17,705 from January to August, the fair launched a Khmer language version of the Japanese Official Visitor’s Guide. The fair offered an immersive experience to its visitors, with interactive displays featuring traditional Japanese games and clothing.
Cambodia’s Rapid Economic Growth
Doi Kei, the JNTO director in Bangkok, voiced satisfaction at the choice of Cambodia as the host for the fair, citing the country’s rapid economic growth and the ensuing interest from Japanese businesses. The event also marked the milestone of the 70th anniversary of Cambodia-Japan diplomatic relations.
Cambodia’s Tourism Success and Future Plans
Kuch Panhasa, secretary of state at the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, lauded Japan’s comprehensive cooperation and acknowledged the significant uptick in international tourism to Cambodia, especially from Japan. Panhasa shared details on policy initiatives aimed at amplifying tourism and facilitating travel between the two countries. He also highlighted Cambodia’s recent selection as a member of the Executive Council of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for 2023-2027.
Panhasa presented statistics that painted a vibrant picture of Cambodia’s tourism recovery – 4.4 million international tourists in the first ten months of the year, representing a 179.7% increase. This figure also included a 235% surge in Japanese tourists. The Cambodian tourism ministry is diligently working on strategies for future development, such as the Domestic Tourism Movement 2021-2035 and master plans for several provinces.