Siem Reap town was ranked one of the world’s top 10 trending destinations in 2023. SIEM REAP PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION
Japan’s premier travel agency, Japan Dream Tours, has announced plans to establish a presence in Siem Reap. The move is aimed at streamlining travel for Japanese tourists visiting Cambodia, and reciprocally, for Cambodian visitors to Japan.
The development was shared during a meeting between Cambodia’s Tourism Minister Thong Khon and Yuji Kumamaru, former Japanese ambassador to Cambodia, who led a delegation visit to the country on June 14.
Thong Khon expressed his gratitude to the former ambassador, appreciating Japan’s longstanding commitment to Cambodia’s development, notably in tourism, infrastructure, and natural resource sectors.
Kumamaru reciprocated the warm sentiments, lauding Cambodia’s successful hosting of the SEA and ASEAN Para Games. Despite the end of his ambassadorial term, he reassured his continued support for Cambodia’s tourism sector.
“A leading Japanese tour agency is keen on opening offices in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to ease travel for Japanese and Cambodian tourists alike,” said Kumamaru.
Thong Khon thanked the former ambassador and asked him to assist in reinstating flights by All Nippon Airways between the two nations, which had been previously suspended due to Covid-19. He also requested Kumamaru to promote Cambodian tourism in Japan.
Answering the requests, Kumamaru pledged to advertise Cambodia’s tourist spots to Japanese travellers, organise a series of meetings to facilitate the resumption of flights, and encourage increased Japanese tourism to Cambodia.
On the matter, Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), expressed optimism. She anticipates a surge in Cambodian tourism, attributing it to Japan Dream Tours’ imminent office in Siem Reap.
“A branch in the country boosts trust among Japanese travellers, facilitates better communication, and creates job opportunities for locals in transportation, food, and accommodation services,” Sivlin said.
Japan Dream Tours is a global player in the travel industry, with a presence in 25 countries worldwide, and is capable of managing approximately 50,000 tourists’ trips annually.
