Hong Kong SAR — On December 21, 2024, Mr. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, met with Mr. Wang Haimin, Chairman of the Board of China Tourism Group Corporation Limited (CTG). The meeting aimed to enhance tourism cooperation between Cambodia and China.
Minister Huot Hak was accompanied by executives from CTG, including general managers responsible for travel agencies and China Duty Free Shops. The discussions focused on strategies to deepen collaboration and promote tourism, particularly targeting travelers from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region, and nearby areas.
Several key initiatives were announced during the meeting, including:
-Formation of a Working Group: A dedicated team will be established to implement the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism and CTG.
-Business Matching and FAM Trips: Arrangements will be made for business matching events and familiarization (FAM) trips to strengthen industry partnerships.
-Chartered Flights: Plans for the first chartered flights for tourists traveling between Cambodia and China are set to begin in 2025.
-Joint Tourism Campaign: The Ministry of Tourism and CTG will collaborate to create a joint promotional campaign to increase visibility for both countries as travel destinations.
-Promotion of Cambodian Products: Cambodian products will be promoted in China Duty Free Shops, targeting a significant market of travelers.
China Tourism Group Corporation Limited, established in 1923 and previously known as China Travel Services (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited, operates as a state-owned enterprise managed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, with its headquarters in the Hong Kong SAR. As of 2023, CTG employs over 43,000 people, boasts total assets of RMB 200 billion, and comprises approximately 600 subsidiaries, serving around 80 million tourists annually.
The organization includes travel agencies, hotel chains, retail operations such as China Duty Free Shops, cruise services, and real estate ventures across Hong Kong and more than 30 other countries. Notable brands under the CTG umbrella include HKCTS, CITS, CTS, and CDF, solidifying its position as a major player in the global tourism industry.
This important meeting reflects the commitment of both Cambodia and China to strengthen their tourism ties, paving the way for greater economic growth and cultural exchange in the years to come.
