Friday, June 13, 2008

Observers are skeptical that the tourism sector will really benefit Cambodians since most of the companies in this sector are foreign-owned

2015: $3.2 billion revenue expected in the tourism sector

11 June 2008
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

The number of tourists keeps on increasing from one year to another. In 2007, Cambodia welcomed 2 million tourists who brought in a revenue of $1.4 billion. The tourism sector then represented 15 % of the GDP and allowed the creation of 300,000 jobs.

The ministry of Tourism predicts that in 2010, the number of foreign tourists will reach 3.2 millions, and will generate $2.1 billion in revenue for the kingdom. For 2015, 5 millions tourists are expected and they would bring in $3.2 billion in revenue. “The growth in tourism contributes to the development of the country, creates jobs, and reduces poverty,” Thong Khon, the Tourism ministry, commented during a presentation for the results of the government realizations between 2004 and 2007.

Some observers are skeptical about this optimistic outlook. According to these observers, revenue from tourism only benefit products imported from Thailand and Vietnam, such as for example, some of the companies are foreign owned [KI-Media note: The Sokha group which collects entrance fees at the Angkor park is owned by the Vietnamese Sok Kong].

While the number of foreign visitors in Cambodia continues to rise, the number of Cambodians leaving for overseas also increases steadily. In 2007, this number was estimated to be close to 1 million.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

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2- SRP = 100
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7- HDDP = 10,000,000
8- SJP = 100,000,000
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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Only blind people can't see the benefit for Khmer. There are hundreds thousands of jobs created every year to alleviate Khmer people from hardships, and if that is not benefit, I don't know what is.

Anonymous said...

I agree that tourism bring so little economic benefit for Cambodia because it is all foreign owned...most of the hotels, gift shops, many of the tourist services!

This is something to think about for Cambodian people! Please don’t see with you eyes but see with your mind!

Anonymous said...

well, make sure those foreign business help cambodia by hiring and training the cambodians so they too have the opportunity to work and earn income like everyone else. it's called giving back to your community. otherwise, what good is it for cambodia to invite in foreigner investors and businesses if they will not want o help train and hire cambodian people to work and have the opportunity to grow and be prosperous like them? no-brainer, all common sense stuff!