PHL eyes more flights from Cambodia  with tourism deal

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is looking to improve the air connectivity between the Philippines and Cambodia after a deal was signed to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.

The Implementation Program of Tourism Cooperation 2016-2020 was signed following President Rodrigo Duterte's expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Cambodia on Wednesday.

Ahead of the signing ceremony, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said the deal would concentrate on route development.

"We will focus on air connectivity. We would like to have a direct flight from Phnom Penh to the Philippines because right now we don’t have one," Teo said at a press briefing.

Teo said the Philippines would push for direct flights between Phnom Penh and Manila to increase the number of Cambodian tourists to the Philippines.

"What we have is from Siem Reap, Cebu Pacific flight Siem Reap to Manila and none from Phnom Penh," Teo said.

"If we have direct flight, I’m sure that tourist, the arrivals of Cambodian people to the Philippines will increase because right now what we have is only around 2,000 to 3,000 a year. Unlike for Filipinos going to Cambodia is around 70,000," she added.

To further promote Philippines, the DOT is eyeing to invite Cambodian press, tour operators, and investors as well as students and professionals.

Other deals signed following Duterte's expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Cambodia are:

• Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in combating transnational crime
• Memorandum of Agreement concerning the cooperation in the field of labor
• Memorandum of Agreement on sports cooperation

Details of the said agreements have yet to released. —NB, GMA News