Kep province will soon have a 12-year master plan that will stimulate its tourism sector with the luring of investors and tourists, and new infrastructures.

The news is in line with the recent launch of the Mondulkiri and Siem Reap Tourism Development Plans (2021-2035), confirmed Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, who is also National Tourism Development Committee chairman.

He said the government has approved the implementation of strategic documents for the development of the tourism sector nationwide, including a roadmap to restore the sector during and after Covid-19 and boost internal tourism from 2021 to 2023.

Kep provincial governor Som Piseth told The Post on April 11 that the main objectives of the Kep Tourism Development Master Plan (2022-2035) is to attract investors as development partners, domestic and international tourists, and develop new infrastructure.

The plan is important for the development of tourism in Kep province as a whole, he said, noting that work on the master plan has two remaining stages to complete before it can be implemented.

“The master plan has identified several areas that will be developed, namely coastal tourism, island tourism, mountain tourism, and tourism in the downtown area,” he said. Piseth specifically named the small mountain range Phnom Voar, a “former Khmer-versus-Khmer war zone”, as a future major agro-industrial and eco-tourism area.

Thourn Sinan, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia chapter chairman, believed that the master plans are “important for each province, especially those that are tourist destinations”.

“Kep is a province with high tourism potential, with the government designating Kep as a province for high-end or aristocratic tourists. The plan for tourism development is a big contribution to attract investment in tourism and other sectors into the province,” he said.