Thong Khon urges regional tourism push

Tourists visit Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap earlier this year. Hong Menea

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that all ASEAN members should consider promoting tourism within the ASEAN region to restore regional and international tourism, with sustainable growth.

Speaking at the International Tourism Fair on September 8 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Thong Khon said that Covid-19 vaccines remained the key to building the trust of visitors.

“While the world is willing to live under the new normal – living with Covid-19 – the vaccines are the one tool which guarantees the safety of people and restores the trust of tourists. As tourist destinations, we should continue to increase vaccinations,” he added.

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon speaking at the International Tourism Fair on September 8 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. FACEBOOK

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and the ministers of tourism of Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao, the deputy minister representing the authorities of tourism, the Consulates General of ASEAN member states and about 350 representatives from the international private sector, urged the reopening of socio-economic activities in the new normal context, in line with roadmaps or strategies and guidelines, to put the lives of the people first.

“We all should consider promoting tourism within the bloc under the vision “ASEAN for ASEAN” and in sub-regional frameworks such as The Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy or ACMECS – made up of Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar – and the countries in the greater Mekong subregion,” he continued.

He said that ASEAN ministers of tourism, partners and world tourism leaders should continue to strengthen human resource development, and push to promote digital connectivity, innovation and creativity, line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the future trends of tourism.

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings
Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument
Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit
Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former