Author: Hoang Anh Vu

Positioned approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the revered UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, identified by the International Air Transport Association as SAI, takes the reins from the historic Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which had been in operation since 1932. About Siem Reap Angkor International Airport Construction Embarking on a new era of air travel, Siem Reap, nestled in the northwestern region of Cambodia, proudly unveiled its latest marvel - the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. This state-of-the-art aviation hub, generously funded by China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, commenced commercial operations with a landmark flight by Bangkok Airways on the morning of October 15, 2023. With an investment exceeding $1.1 billion, the airport was strategically designed under the "Build-Operate-Transfer" model by Chinese enterprises, marking it as the first overseas international airport to be crafted through this approach. The Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group oversees its operation and management, ensuring efficiency and adherence to international standards. Classified as a "4E airport," the facility is equipped to handle larger commercial planes, making it a crucial link on global long-haul routes. The airport's construction, initiated in 2020, drew inspiration from traditional Cambodian architecture, seamlessly blending modernity with cultural aesthetics. While the official airport website provides limited information on available services and amenities, it does offer a comprehensive schedule of departing and arriving flights, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers. Siem Reap Angkor Int'l Airport to Promote Cambodia Tourism As Cambodia's tourism market rebounds, recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism underscore the nation's resilience and appeal. The first eight months of 2023 witnessed a remarkable 250.8% increase in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. Despite this surge, there remains a 19.7% decrease compared to 2019, the year preceding

The opening of direct flights to Siem Reap from Seoul is one of the things Cambodia is implementing to prepare for the 2024 peak tourist season. In anticipation of the upcoming peak tourist season, Cambodia is actively implementing strategic measures to enhance its tourism sector, guided by the directives of Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. The Prime Minister's recent meeting in Phnom Penh with over 18,000 workers on October 3 underscored the government's commitment to facilitating a seamless travel experience. Thai Tourists Can Travel to Cambodia without Passport One notable initiative involves simplifying entry procedures, as Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed the possibility of allowing Thai tourists to visit Cambodia's Siem Reap with citizen identification cards, eliminating the need for passports. Emphasizing his dedication to promoting tourism cooperation, especially in attracting foreign visitors to Cambodia, the Prime Minister has been at the forefront of discussions with leaders from Thailand and the Philippines. In these diplomatic conversations, he advocated for the establishment of direct flights from Phuket, Thailand, and Cebu, Philippines, to Cambodia. These proposed connections aim to foster greater accessibility and convenience for international travelers. Direct Flights to Siem Reap from Seoul Scheduled in Dec 2023 Exciting developments are also on the horizon with the imminent opening of the Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport. Additionally, plans are in motion to introduce a direct flights to Siem Reap from Seoul (South Korea), scheduled to commence in December 2023. This initiative seeks to captivate the interest of Korean tourists and further diversify the visitor demographic to Cambodia. The efforts invested in the tourism sector are yielding promising results, as evidenced by the substantial increase in international tourist arrivals. According to Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed over 3.5 million international tourists in the first eight months of this year,