PHNOM PENH: Japan’s Ambassador to Cambodia Mikami Masahiro has met with the Minister of Tourism Thong Khon on Wednesday. The two have discussed ways to promote safe tourism while attracting fully vaccinated Japanese travelers into the Kingdom. The Royal Government has been promoting the country to major tourism markets, showing the Kingdom is ready to welcome fully vaccinated travelers.

It has been no different with Japan. The meeting between Minister of Tourism Thong Khon and Ambassador of Japan Mikami Masahiro was held in order to discuss the expansion of tourism cooperation between Cambodia and Japan, specially under the recently announced “Vaccine Tourism.”

The Vaccine Tourism will allow visitors who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to skip being quarantined if they stay at least five days in designated areas. Starting on the 30th November, Sihanoukville, Koh Rong and Darasakor resorts will be the first “Vaccine Tourism” sites in the Kingdom, followed by Siem Reap in January.

Minister Thong Khon further discussed with Mikami Masahiro that he would promote the opening of more direct flights between Cambodia and Japan. Thong Khon has also urged the ambassador to allow Cambodian tour operators to re-enter Japan, as Cambodians are fully vaccinated and can travel abroad safely.

In counterpart, Japanese tour companies and media are invited to participate in the ASEAN Tourism Forum from 16-22 January 2022 in Sihanoukville. Japan’s Ambassador has shown support to Cambodia development on tourism sectors such as community tourism, ecotourism, agro-tourism, health tourism and second home tourism, which Japan is traditionally known for tourism in those fields. They have also committed to share experience on organizing sports events to Cambodia specially for the 2023 SEA Games held in Cambodia.