Cambodia is hoping to faucet into the gradual journey development, with a notable uptick in curiosity within the nation as a single journey vacation spot.
Steve Lidgey, common supervisor of Journey Asia a la Carte, informed TTG Asia that in ITB Berlin 2024, there was a rise in curiosity in Cambodia from European brokers as a standalone vacation spot.
Historically, the Kingdom has been common as an add-on to Thailand, Vietnam and different South-east Asian locations. The typical keep within the nation sits at three days.
“It’s been good to see that many individuals are excited about Cambodia as a single vacation spot, not combining it with different international locations,” Lidgey mentioned. “Individuals need to discover the vacation spot and never simply spend three or 4 days there.”
He mentioned that hovering flight costs to the Kingdom, coupled with the growing post-lockdown gradual journey development, are pushing the motion.
“When you arrive in Cambodia, there’s no have to take any home flights,” Lidgey acknowledged, including he acquired a gaggle reserving for a 30-day tour of Cambodia, with a gaggle about to set off on a 23-day cross-country journey.
“Persons are beginning to be excited about staying longer in Cambodia to get a full really feel of the nation. As an alternative of solely Siem Reap and the temples and Phnom Penh, they need to go to Battambang, see the dolphins in Kratié, trek in Mondulkiri, and expertise the individuals,” he mentioned.
“Many Europeans are displaying curiosity in gradual journey, and we will see they need to spend extra time in a single vacation spot.”
He mentioned out of Western markets, gradual journey is extra accessible for Europeans because of the longer annual go away they obtain over, for instance, the US.
Lidgey additionally referred to as on the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism to place extra work into ahead planning. Yearly, Cambodia hosts a raft of vibrant cultural festivals, together with Khmer New 12 months, Bon Om Touk (Water Pageant), and Pchum Ben (pageant of the useless).
Nevertheless, the itineraries and actions for every are launched simply weeks forward, that means tour operators can not promote them to longhaul markets that are inclined to e book months upfront.
“There are plenty of fascinating alternatives to introduce friends to the traditions of those festivals, however we have to know the schedule upfront,” he urged.