China News Service, Phnom Penh, February 9th: "Khmer Smile" welcomes Chinese tourists
Author Yang Qiang Li Haiyue
At 23:30 local time on the 8th, as China Southern Airlines flight CZ323 landed smoothly, Fang Liangyuxuan’s family of five arrived in the warm city of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
"The unique Khmer style, the mysterious 'Khmer smile', this country has many precious things worth discovering and appreciating." Fang Liangyuxuan said.
On the evening of February 8, local time, Chinese tourists arrived in Cambodia on China Southern Airlines flight CZ323. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Qiang
With the arrival of the Spring Festival in the Chinese Year of the Dragon, more and more Chinese tourists are traveling to Cambodia to visit relatives. Zhou Yingping, general manager of China Southern Airlines' Phnom Penh Sales Department, told China News Service that China Southern Airlines officially entered the "Spring Festival Transport Time" on January 26 and operates 36 round-trip flights from Phnom Penh to Guangzhou every week. The two-way passenger load factor remains at about 95%. Some flights Full. China Southern Airlines is considering resuming flights from Shenzhen to Phnom Penh in the summer and autumn of 2024, and will continue to increase flights from Guangzhou to Phnom Penh.
On the evening of the 7th, Cambodia’s national airline launched flights from Phnom Penh to Hong Kong. Cambodia Airways hopes that more tourists from China will take its flights during the Year of the Dragon to visit the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the world. Starting from April this year, Cambodia Airways’ route from Phnom Penh to Hong Kong will increase to four flights per week.
He Wandi, consultant to the Cambodia Tourism Association, told local media on the 7th that during this year’s Spring Festival, the number of Chinese tourists booking trips to Cambodia increased by 20% to 30% compared with usual. Most tourists book group tours through travel agencies, while some arrange independent tours.
Cui Jing from Urumqi, Xinjiang is visiting Cambodia for the first time. "You can see lanterns and Spring Festival couplets celebrating the Year of the Dragon Spring Festival everywhere in Phnom Penh. It is also very convenient to buy New Year goods. We can feel the strong 'New Year flavor' in foreign countries." Cui Jing said.
The return of Chinese tourists to Cambodia has boosted the confidence of local industry players. An Xing Sufik, president of the Cambodian Chinese Tour Guides Association, said in an interview with the media that during the Spring Festival, the number of Chinese tourists increased significantly and Chinese tour guides were almost fully booked. "Travel agencies are actively adjusting the schedules of Chinese-speaking tour guides to meet the reception needs of more Chinese tourists." Li Shunlong, a Chinese tour guide in Siem Reap, told a reporter from China News Service.
Before the epidemic in 2019, the number of international tourists in Cambodia reached a record high of 6.6 million, including 2.36 million Chinese tourists. In 2023, the number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia will be close to 550,000, which is far from the official target of 1 million. Cambodia is looking forward to the arrival of more Chinese tourists.
Entering 2024, China and Cambodia are committed to deepening cooperation in culture, tourism, youth, local areas and other fields. “I believe that with the joint efforts of both parties, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia this year will increase significantly compared with last year.” Wang Feng, director of the Confucius Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said optimistically. (over)