Cambodia Airways Elevates Connectivity with Launch of Phnom Penh-Chongqing Flights

• 10 January 2024
• Local News
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In a strategic move to enhance trade links with China and bolster tourism, Cambodia Airways inaugurated direct flights from Phnom Penh to Chongqing on 6 January. The twice-weekly round-trip flights, operational on Mondays and Saturdays, aim to fortify ties between Cambodia and China, especially in the aftermath of the global crisis, according to Tin Media on 4 January 2024.

The airline, already connecting eight Chinese cities with Cambodia including Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Macau, Sanya, Jinan, Jieyang, and Haikou, expands its network to nine cities with this latest addition.

As China resumes international travel after its ‘Zero Covid’ policy, Cambodia anticipates a resurgence in Chinese tourist arrivals. In 2023, post-reopening, Cambodia witnessed a gradual increase in Chinese tourists, reaching an estimated one million, a significant rise from the 110,000 in 2022. This positive trend aligns with reports from China, where the recent New Year holiday saw a surge in travel activities, signaling a robust start to the year 2024.

As China welcomed the New Year, reports indicated a notable surge in travel activities, setting a positive tone for the country’s economic prospects in 2024. The three-day New Year holiday witnessed heightened consumer sentiments, contributing to a robust start to the economy.

According to data from the research institute of online travel agency Trip.com, snow and ice tourism sites in China emerged as the most popular destinations, experiencing a significant increase in ticket orders. The appeal of these destinations underscores the diverse preferences of travelers during the holiday period.

Nationwide, the holiday season saw substantial movement across various transportation modes, with passenger volumes on railways, roads, waterways, and airways reaching nearly 130 million from 30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024, as reported by the Ministry of Transport.

The positive momentum extended to the tourism market, with China’s total revenues surpassing an impressive US$11.26 billion in the three days. This marked a threefold increase compared to the previous year’s holiday season and a 5.6% growth from 2019, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Foreign tourists also played a significant role in contributing to the vibrant holiday market in China. The country recorded 5.18 million inbound and outbound trips during the three-day holiday, representing a remarkable 4.7-fold increase compared to the same period last year and a return to the levels seen in 2019, as reported by the National Immigration Administration.

Thourn Sinan, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Cambodia Chapter), welcomed the introduction of direct flights between Phnom Penh and Chongqing, emphasizing the potential for increased tourist arrivals from China. Sinan emphasized the importance of monitoring bilateral policies and government regulations, acknowledging their pivotal role in the success of the new route in driving tourism.

“It is positive news for the tourism sector. However, it’s important to note that the actual impact on tourist arrivals will depend not only on the availability of flights but also on the policies and regulations set by the Chinese government. Bilateral policies between China and Cambodia will play a crucial role in determining the success of this new route in driving tourism,” Sinan noted.

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