Nanning officials visit Cambodia to promote tourism ties

PHNOM PENH -- A group of about 20 officials and tourism-related business owners from Nanning city, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is visiting Cambodia to broaden bilateral relations and cooperation in tourism.

The delegation is led by Yang Min, Nanning's vice mayor. On Tuesday, the group held a meeting with Cambodia's tourism-related business executives led by Phnom Penh's vice-governor Khun Sreng.

Yang said that Nanning and Cambodia have much room to grow in tourism sector thanks to both sides' tourism potentials, good relations between Chinese government and Cambodian government and direct flight connection between Nanning and Phnom Penh.

Last year, some 50,000 Chinese in Nanning visited Cambodia and about 20,000 Cambodians went to Nanning, according to the statistics presented at the meeting.

"We are looking forwards to seeing more Cambodians visiting Nanning," he said. "Besides sightseeing tours, they can seek trade and investment opportunities in Nanning."

Khun Sreng said the meeting was a good chance for both sides' tour and travel companies to seek future cooperation in order to boost bilateral ties between Phnom Penh city and Nanning city.

He appealed to Chinese investors to consider investment in tourism sector in Cambodia, saying that the sector has vast potential for growth.

The delegation arrived here Monday for a four-day visit. During the stay, they will also visit the country's most beautiful beach in Preah Sihanouk province, about 230 kilometers south of Phnom Penh.