STORY: Chinese-invested airport boosts Cambodia's Angkor world heritage
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 16, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:40
LOCATION: SIEM REAP, Cambodia
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): SINN CHANSEREY VUTHA, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson, Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): KIM PHALLY, Chairman of the Tourist Transport Association for the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): THY SOPHEAKLEAP, Employee at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport 

STORYLINE:

Situated roughly 40 km east of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Cambodia, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has served as a key gateway for international visitors to the centuries-old world heritage.
   
Built on a parcel of 700 square hectares, the Chinese-invested airport is currently Cambodia's biggest airport.
   
According to statistics, the airport has handled a total of 14,700 flights, with 1.32 million passengers since it went into commercial operation on Oct. 16, 2023.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): SINN CHANSEREY VUTHA, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson, Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation 
"Within a year of its operations, we have seen that this airport has strengthened and expanded its capacity in line with the government's policy. Especially, it has enhanced Cambodia's image on the international arena.
This new airport is capable of accommodating the landing of almost all kinds of aircraft.
The development of this airport is to facilitate travel and provide new experience to domestic and international travelers."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): KIM PHALLY, Chairman of the Tourist Transport Association for the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
"As the representative of tourist transport service providers at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, I have seen that this huge airport has helped improve the livelihoods of locals. For instance, for tourist transport service providers at this airport, we have gained better income than that of the old airport."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): THY SOPHEAKLEAP, Employee at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport   
"I'm really happy to work with the airport because it has not only given an opportunity for self-development but also a chance for tourism promotion.
This airport can handle a large number of passengers, facilitating the travel of foreign tourists to the Angkor Wat Temple, so they can explore culture, civilization and tradition, as well as helping improve the livelihoods of people in Siem Reap province.
I hope that in the future, this airport will attract more new flights to Siem Reap province."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Siem Reap, Cambodia.
(XHTV)