The province of Ratanakkiri needs a kickstart for tourism, according to officials, and a new airport might an answer.
A master plan for tourism is currently being examined by an inter-ministry commission, which will pass it on to the Council of Ministers for passage. An airport is a priority in the plan. The current airport is a dirty strip.
Ratanakkiri province First Governor Van Chhun Ly took some Japanese businessmen to a possible site 14 km north of Banlung town in Kalai commune, O’Chum district. They said if a study showed an international airport had potential, they would help the government make a proposal to the Japanese government.
Keo Sophal, of Civil Aviation, called the trip a preliminary visit. “I don’t think they will come up with airport plans right now,” he said. “They just came and took a look first.”
