Tourism Minister Veng Sereyvuth traveled Wednesday with 15 artists to an exposition in South Korea to showcase traditional Cambodian culture, ministry officials said.
Cambodia will be one of 61 countries attending the Kyongju World Culture Expo 2000, which begins Friday and runs through Nov 10, officials said.
“Our mission is to expose [the world to Cambodia] and her rich culture, history, and nature by strengthening and broadening the cooperation among all participating countries,” Veng Sereyvuth said.
The artists will exhibit handicrafts and perform traditional songs and dances at the Paekgyal Outdoor Stage in Kyongju City, South Korea twice a day for 10 days, according to officials.
The Cambodian delegation also plans to meet with the Tourism Authority of Korea to discuss promoting the exchange of tourism, culture, and investment between the two countries, officials said.
Cambodia recently established a national tourism authority to promote and facilitate tourism, business and investment activities, and development.
Other steps to promote tourism have included improving the national highway and expanding Pochentong Airport. The airport is currently undergoing a $14 million expansion to accommodate increased air traffic.
In 1999, more than 250,000 visitors came to Cambodia, an increase of 40 percent more than in the previous year, according to Tourism Ministry statistics.
“Our government has made economic reforms and legislation is in place to provide a favorable environment for both tourism and investment,” Veng Sereyvuth said. “New measures to attract investors are set up to provide a one-stop business service,” he said.
Silk Airs is one of the airlines allowed to operate triangle flights from Singapore to Phnom Penh and onto Siem Reap after the airport is finished.
