The Ministry of Tourism has proposed the creation of special packages that bundle up trips to Sihanoukville by cruise and flights from there to Siem Reap.
The ministry said the proposed packages will encourage tourists to stay longer in Cambodia, the Khmer Times reported on Friday.
The proposal was revealed Tuesday during a meeting of tourism officials. Tourism Minister Thong Khon said it will soon be discussed with other government officials.
The local tourism industry could benefit greatly from special packages that include various destinations in the country, the minister said, adding that no one is offering these packages yet.
From January to April, 35 cruise ships, carrying a combined 50,000 tourists, docked at Sihanoukville’s port, Cambodia’s only deep-sea harbour, according to ministry spokesman Top Sopheak.
“Creating a special package connecting Sihanoukville and Siem Reap for cruise passengers will boast the number of tourists to Siem Reap province,” Sopheak said.
“If given access to these packages, we expect that many of them will choose to visit Siem Reap.”
According to Cambodia Airports, there are four airlines operating the Siem Reap-Sihanoukville route – Angkor Air, Cambodia Airways, JC Airlines, and Lanmei Airlines.