Tourism industry players insist the government announce a reopening date as soon as possible to prepare for the expected influx of international visitors into the Kingdom.

This was the main message highlighted during a press conference organised by Cambodia Airports on September 23, where industry representatives weighed in on Prime Minister Hun Sen’s comments on September 17 regarding a relaxation in quarantine measures to help smooth the reopening process.

The prime minister suggested a sandbox-like scheme – as seen in Thailand and Vietnam – where visitors are required to spend the first seven days of their trip in the general area of their accommodation, with inter-provincial travel expressly forbidden. But he stopped short of giving a firm timeframe.

Alain Brun, CEO of Cambodia Airports, the developer and operator of the Kingdom’s three international airports, told the conference that Hun Sen’s comments were a dose of welcome news that marked a positive step for the service sector.

He called on the private sector to do its part and ensure that holidaymakers can safely travel across the Kingdom, enunciating: “We are lucky to do business in Cambodia.”

Brun elaborated that the Kingdom’s Covid immunisation drive over the past seven and a half months have been a success. “We are safe. The key message today is that the airline industry is all set to welcome back passengers, everyone is fully prepared”.

Despite shouldering a substantial economic burden of Covid, Cambodia Airports maintained full operations throughout the swells and ebbs of the health crisis, he pointed out.

He underscored that Cambodia’s three international airports “are all in line with international safety standards” and “have clear measures to protect” everyone, with “rules applied effectively”.

“We guarantee that passengers will arrive at safe airports,” Brun said.

“Travel today is safe in Cambodia, and that’s due to the amazing work the government has been doing. The airports are all ready to welcome back passengers.

Hamish Snow, country manager of Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, told the event that the airline resumed full operations in July and stands ready to work with other businesses to bring back travellers to the Kingdom.

Cathay Pacific offers four direct flights a week between Phnom Penh and Hong Kong, he said.

“We use modern, environmentally-friendly aircraft and our staff observe the proper safety measures to ensure the safety of our passengers. To resume flights in the future, we need to work together to provide a safe experience for our passengers,” Snow said.https://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/pms-vow-reopen-reassures-tourism-sector-no-date-set