Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1 have the honor and great pleasure to participate in today's 22d World Tourism Day ceremony. On behalf of the Royal Government and my own, 1 would like to express my deep thanks to Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen who are gathering today, matching with people worldwide, particularly with those in 138 countries which are the members of the World Tourism Organization and more than 350 representatives from governments, tourism associations, private companies to celebrate today's 22^nd World Tourism Day.

Tourism is a people-oriented industry, which serves the people by the people themselves. Based on the world and regional trend, tourism has emerged to play a role as a fastest growing industry and to become a driving force to boost the world economy at present and in the future. The direct and indirect income from tourism greatly contributes to the national economy such as earning foreign currency, creating job opportunity to the people, resolving economic and social crisis and alleviating poverty. Tourism has been playing a key role in helping resolve the past regional economic crisis, attracting foreign currency from foreign tourists to underpin the national economy.

A report made by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) illustrates that tourists travelling worldwide were 698 millions in the year 2000, increasing by 7.4% if compared with the year 1999; and the income from this sector was 475 billions, augmenting by 4.5%. On the other hand, East Asia and the Pacific region received more 111.7 million tourists, which accounts for 16% of the world total number, and increased by 14.5%.

In the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Royal Government, under the leadership of Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen, is actively endeavoring to rehabilitate and develop the national economy, in which tourism is given a priority and is the locomotive to accelerate economic growth. With our enriched cultural and natural potential, the Royal Government considers Cambodian tourism as a cultural-natural tourism; and this policy is producing its positive outcome in line with the world tourism development trend at present.

A study conducted by a European Commission of the WTO illustrates that 20% of the tourists to Europe are cultural-aspired. Culture is a major aspiration to travel; and the total figure shows that 60% of the world tourists are interested in culture. Asia and the Pacific is a sanctuary and a tremendous cultural asset of many nationalities and tribes, who have a diversity of languages, custom, tradition, traditional dance, cooking recipe and separate history, that have their comparative advantage for tourists in Asia. Several big religions such as Buddha, Islam, Hindu, Christianity and many small ones were also originated in Asia; on this basis Asia becomes a world tourism destination. A study made by the WTO shows that the number of international tourists will increase by 1.5 billions in the year 2020. Asia and the Pacific will become the world second tourism destination. It is estimated that China will become the most popular tourism destination in 2020, and will subsequently be able to provide Cambodian tourism industry with many profits because China and Cambodia are the countries in M6kong sub-region. So the exodus of tourists to china will definitely outflow to other neighboring countries such as Cambodia.

We are proud that Cambodia received around half million tourists (466,365) in the year 2000, increasing by 27% compared with the year 1999 (367,743), which contributed US$ 228 millions or over to the national income, and created jobs for more than 100,000 people. In the first semester at the early 2001, Cambodia received 297,583 tourists, increasing by 33.32% compared with as same length as in the year 2000 (223,214). Meanwhile, what we are proud is that over the year 2000, domestic tourists traveling to various tourist sites were approximately one million, which accounted for two times of foreign tourists; and in the first semester this year, domestic tourists were considerably increasing as of the same period as in the year 2000. In the years to come we hope that the number of domestic tourists will further increase while the standard of living of Cambodians is improved and the diversification of tourism destination is developed.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Cambodian tourism was favorably embarking during Reastr Niyum regime in the early 60s. Unfortunately, in the late 60s and the early 70s Cambodia was presented with political crisis, which turned into the decrease in the growing tourism. Subsequently in the late 70s, particularly during Pol Pot regime and political blockage in the 80s, Cambodian tourism was horribly plagued in connection to infrastructure, technical equipment and human resources for this sector. However, Cambodian tourism was given birth and promoted in the late 1988 in a very difficult circumstance resulted from the long-lasted war.

Cambodia entered the WTO in 1975 and was recognized again in 1993 when there were 138 member countries and more than 350 representatives from governments, tourism associations and private companies. The WTO is an international leading organization in tourism and travel. This organization serves the world arena on tourism policy and the utilization of resources to promote tourism awareness. Through tourism sector, this organization aims at encouraging economic growth, creating jobs, protecting environment, preserving the world tourism heritage and strengthening peace and understanding amongst all nations.

As one of the WTO members, Cambodia gains full support from the WTO; we have always participated in the various international meetings within the organization. Cambodia was elected in the Tourism Quality Support Committee for the Pacific region in its 13^th General Assembly in Santiago, Chile, from 24 September to 1 October, 1999. On December, 2000 the WTO chose Cambodia as the country to celebrate International Conference on Cultural Tourism in Siem Reap, with participants from 28 countries 'm the Asia-Pacific and worldwide, under the high patronage of Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and Mr. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the WTO. Cambodia's active participation in various affairs with the other members will gain experience and know-how from the successful members in tourism development.

It is a world tourism day on 27 September each year; the year 2001 marks the 22^nd World Tourism Day (27 September, 1980-27 September 2001). The celebration is aimed at promoting public awareness to more clearly see the economic interests from tourism for the whole nation, while aiming at better be aware of their responsibilities and obligation to rehabilitate and develop this sector.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government, the Cambodian National Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism, businessmen and the civil servants at all levels, 1 would Re to appeal for actively participating in the development of tourism by ensuring security, social order and political stability, ensuring a safe environment for tourists, extending greeting and hospitality to tourists in a traditional manner in order to place Cambodia, which has a cultural- natural tourism potential, as a tourist destination in the region. 1 also would like to appeal to businessmen, tourist travel agents to improve the quality of their services to satisfy tourists, and try to study and research in order to prepare marketing strategy to attract tourists. Of course, Security, safety, infrastructure

rehabilitation and improvements in tourism industry services are certainly important factors, but the sustainability of culture-nature is, however, a determinant in a long-term tourism development as 1 used to mention "the preservation links to the sustainable development". All elements in the process of national tourism development process must be ensured with a long- term protection with regard to our national cultural prestige and natural resources; we can not have a development plan without the sustainability of culture-nature.

On January 2003, as an ASEAN member, Cambodia will have the honor to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum, while celebrating Visit Cambodia Year that is the national tourism forum worth for our national honor and people. May all Ministries, institutions and authorities concerned support and contribute to the success of the two forums.

May all people, civil servants, businessmen and travel agents underpin and well protect the national tourism policy, and may you feel this spirit in your daily activities.

Best wishes.

Thanks.

back