PHNOM PENH: The Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Indonesia have reached an agreement on four strategic points to enhance their bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector. This significant development was the result of a meeting between H.E. Huot Hak, Cambodian Minister of Tourism, and H.E. Dr. Santo Darmosumarto, Indonesian Ambassador to Cambodia, held at the ministry’s office in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the agreement aims to strengthen Cambodia-Indonesia tourism cooperation in line with the spirit of their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation. The two parties intend to enhance Muslim Friendly Tourism initiatives and work together to encourage Indonesian air operators to establish a direct flight between Bali and Siem Reap, facilitating easier travel between the two nations for both citizens and tourists.
Additionally, the agreement includes exploring the possibility of organizing visits for experience exchange between the Cambodian Minister of T
ourism and the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. This initiative also involves arranging Familiarization (FAM) trips with participation from the private sectors of both countries to develop tour packages.
H.E. Huot Hak expressed appreciation for the longstanding friendship and diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Indonesia, which have spanned 65 years. He praised the ongoing tourism cooperation and noted the successful launch of direct flights between Jakarta and Phnom Penh on April 10, 2023.
The Cambodian Minister also highlighted the favorable political, social, and economic conditions in Cambodia, which create a conducive environment for socio-economic development and attract international tourists and investments. He emphasized the various mechanisms implemented by the Royal Government of Cambodia to encourage private sector involvement, particularly in tourism.
In a gesture of hospitality, H.E. Minister invited H.E. Ambassador, along with his delegation and family, to participa
te in Cambodia’s Water Festival from November 14-16 and the Muslim Travel Fair in December in Phnom Penh, as well as the 11th Sea Festival in Kampot province from December 13-15.
In 2023, Cambodia welcomed approximately 5.45 million international tourists, including 127,178 visitors from Indonesia. In the first nine months of 2024, the Kingdom saw an influx of around 4.29 million international tourists, marking a 22.5 percent increase compared to the previous year. Among these visitors, 123,437 were Indonesian tourists, reflecting a 32.9 percent rise.