Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 18 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen highly appreciated ASEAN Tourism Ministers for strengthening cooperation and exchanging experiences in responding to the COVID19 crisis, speaking at the opening of the 40th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2022) in Sihanoukville on Tuesday.

“Cambodia is very pleased to see the gradual reopening of countries in the region and the world, and especially the solidarity and active cooperation among ASEAN people, partner countries and international institutions in responding to common regional and global challenges. In this spirit, Cambodia highly appreciates ASEAN Tourism Ministers for strengthening cooperation and exchanging experiences in responding to the COVID19 crisis and introducing the post-COVID19 Recovery Plan for ASEAN Tourism, Phnom Penh Declaration on a More Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient ASEAN Tourism, as well as other strategic plans, work programs and guidelines of ASEAN in line with the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF),” the premier underlined.

Premier Hun Sen added, “I highly appreciate the efforts of all international delegates to travel to participate in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2022 by land and air, even though it consumes a long time and requires completing additional travel procedures in the context of COVID19. This participation really shows the common commitment, solidarity and friendship in the development and revitalization of the tourism sector to recover from the COVID19 crisis in the spirit of bringing prosperity and growth to ASEAN people, and achieving the ASEAN vision of "One Community, One Destiny".”

“For the past two years, the COVID19 crisis has caused devastating socio economic impacts, especially on the tourism sector, which has led to a sharp decline in the number of tourists in each country, region as well as the whole world. This crisis has slowed down the growth of the tourism sector, tourism leaders in the public and private sectors and the international community must then reconsider policies to develop the Adaptive Business Model, as well as the human capital development plan in the tourism sector in the context of living with COVID19 in a new normal, as well as in the context of the post COVID19 crisis. Clearly, the tourism sector will face new trends in the needs to develop digital socio-economy, tackle climate change and deepen the consideration for global public health,” Samdech continued.

“Like other countries around the world, Cambodia has also been severely hit by the COVID19 crisis, especially the tourism supply chain which has been almost completely cut off. In fact, many tourism businesses were shut down, and tens of thousands of employees lost their jobs. The COVID19 crisis also caused the losses of some skills and talents, as well as many other direct and indirect negative effects.”
=FRESH NEWS