Russia and Cambodia getting closer

Ceremony of signing «The Program of joint activities in the field of tourism of Rostourism and Ministry of tourism of Cambodia for 2012 – 2014» was held on the day of the opening of «Intourmarket-2011» exhibition. The meeting was conducted by the Minister of tourism of Cambodia Tong Hong and deputy head of the Federal Agency of Tourism of Russian Federation Aleksander Radkov.

Among the priorities in cooperation with Cambodia Mr. Radkov named organization of direct airconnection, lack of which holds back development of tourism. But still many Russian tourists visit the country, arriving there via Vietnam, Thailand and other neighbouring countries. Also Aleksander Radkov mentioned the importance of the opening of Cambodia tourism representation in Moscow and the country's advertising campaign in Russia. 

Mr. Tong Hong said that among more than one million of foreign tourists that visited Cambodia there were almost 40 thousand Russians. Mainly they visit Angkor Wat and sea coast zone. Only in January this year 10 thousand Russian tourists arrived to Camdobia, which is 102% more than last year. The ministry expects that by the end of this year this number will reach 100 thousand.

Mr. Minister explained that you can meet not only Russian tourists on the sea coast in Cambodia but also investors that contribute to the development of the sea coast into comfortable recreation zone, along with the businessmen from France and Australia.

The issue of lack of Russian-speaking guides was also raised at the meeting. Mr. Radkov believes that educational institutes training specialists in tourism sphere should be involved in solving this matter as well as local hoteliers that could sponsor education of the guides. At the moment several programs training specialists with Russian language within the frame of ASEAN are already realized.