STORY: High hopes for Cambodia's touristic, economic growth as Chinese-invested airport starts operation
DATELINE: Oct. 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:05:54
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): RA SAMBO, Manager at souvenir shop Graines De Cambodge in Siem Reap province
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): LEY LEAV, Maker of souvenirs in Siem Reap
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): HETH RADY, Tuk-tuk driver in Siem Reap
4. aerial view of Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
5. various of officials greeting passengers at the airport
6. various of souvenir shops
7. various of street views in Siem Reap provincial town

STORYLINE:

Ra Sambo, a manager at souvenir shop Graines De Cambodge here in northwest Cambodia's tourist hub, is optimistic that the Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) will boost international tourist arrivals, revitalizing the COVID-19-hit tourism industry.

She hoped that the SAI, commenced operation on Monday, will bring more foreign tourists to Siem Reap province, the home of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archeological Park, so that tourism reliant businesses and services will boom again.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): RA SAMBO, Manager at souvenir shop Graines De Cambodge in Siem Reap province
"As a vendor at the Old Market in Siem Reap, I feel excited that there is a new achievement, the new airport, and I have expectation for better business and I'm happy as planes from different countries can fly directly to our Siem Reap province.
We hope there will be more tourists coming to Cambodia.
I would like to thank investors from China for constructing this new airport, which will boost tourism and attract more tourists to our country, particularly providing a lot of jobs to our Cambodian people."

Ley Leav, a 36-year-old maker of souvenirs in Siem Reap, is confident that the SAI will bring sustainable development and prosperity to the province.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): LEY LEAV, Maker of souvenirs in Siem Reap
"I hope more tourists will come to Siem Reap, so our souvenir sales will be better. I want to see more Chinese tourists and other foreign tourists coming to Cambodia. Thank you, China, for investing in this airport. We hope it will bring more tourists, so a lot of jobs will be created for us."

Heth Rady, a 38-year-old tuk-tuk driver in Siem Reap, was delighted to see the commencement of SAI operation, saying that it would bring more tourists and investors to the Southeast Asian country.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): HETH RADY, Tuk-tuk driver in Siem Reap
"I'm very happy to see such a huge airport because it may bring more tourists. I hope that there will be more tourists coming to visit Siem Reap province, so my family's living conditions will be improved. With this new airport, we hope to carry more passengers, and we can make more income."

Rady said that currently, the number of international tourists to Siem Reap remained low, and he could make only 20,000 to 30,000 riel (5 to 7.5 U.S. dollars) per day from his tuk-tuk operation.

Covering a parcel of 700 hectares, the SAI is located in Sotr Nikum district, about 40 km from the Angkor Archeological Park and 50 km from Siem Reap provincial town.

With a 3,600-meter runway, the SAI is a 4E-level international airport that can accommodate long-distance flights from across the world.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Phnom Penh.
(XHTV)