With the launch of direct flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi next month by Cambodia’s national carrier Cambodia Angkor Air, tourist arrivals in both countries are expected to get a surge, along with other business activities and people-to-people exchanges.
While addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, Cambodia’s Ambassador to India, Koy Kuong, predicted a two-fold increase in tourist arrivals in both countries.
Along with representatives of Cambodia Angkor Air, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), and Indian authorities, Koy said that the introduction of the new air routes marks the first ever direct flight connection between the two nations’ capital cities.
It is also a clear representation of the increasing demand for travel services between Cambodia and India, he said.
He explained that prior to the covid-19 pandemic period, in 2018 and 2019, Cambodia witnessed around 75,000 people from India visiting the country every year.
While he noted that this number slumped in recent years, totalling around 45,000 per year in 2021, and slowly rebounding in the following period, the new direct flights will make the journey easier than ever, and a spike in incoming tourists from India is to be expected.
Outside of tourism and leisure travel, Koy also expects a sharp boost in business travels from India with the advent of regular direct flight connections.
He said that direct flights between the two capitals will naturally facilitate Indian entrepreneurs to invest in Cambodia’s fast growing economy.
India, for example, is a world leader in technology and medicine.
Such specialist areas show potential for fast growth in Cambodia also, and offer greenfield investment opportunities for incoming entrepreneurs to the economy.
Koy said he also expects more demand from Cambodian outbound travellers to access India through the new flights, especially in search of healthcare services in New Delhi and other major cities.
The ambassador highlighted the attractiveness of India for medical tourism for Cambodians due to lower treatment costs compared to neighbouring countries.
Due to these factors, Koy anticipates a significant increase in Cambodian individuals seeking medical care in India, supported by the new flight services.
Importantly, the new flights will be regular and affordable.
Commencing on June 16, Cambodia Angkor Air will fly to New Delhi four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and will operate under the flight code K6760/K6761.
According to the airline, the tickets per person for a round trip from New Delhi to Phnom Penh will be available at approximately $275, inclusive of taxes.
Due to the increasing demand, flights connecting Cambodian cities to other major destinations across India are also in the pipeline, according to statements made by representatives of Cambodia Angkor Air during Tuesday’s press conference in the Indian capital.
Eng Molina, Chief Commercial Officer of Cambodia Angkor Air, said that the carrier is considering connecting more Indian destinations in the near future.
“Besides New Delhi, we are also considering cities like Mumbai and other Tier I cities like Kolkata and Bengaluru,” Eng said to local media.
David Yuhong Zhan, Director of the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB), Vice Chairman and CEO of Cambodia Angkor Air, also supported Eng’s statement, noting the airline’s plans to open “new routes connecting Siem Reap to Delhi and Phnom Penh to other cities in India soon.”
