Charles Vann, CEO of Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC), on Monday urged tourism associations and tour operators to actively promote the new Techo International Airport (TIA), which is scheduled to officially open in July.
He encouraged them to help promote, work together and attract international tourists to Cambodia.
Leading about 200 members of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA) on a tour of the new airport in Takhmao town, Kandal province, Vann also recalled that the Royal Government of Cambodia has confirmed the official inauguration of Techo International Airport in July 2025.
“In July, we will be ready to officially inaugurate the new airport. Therefore, I would like to ask all CATA members and other tour operators to pay attention to welcoming visitors and helping to promote this major airport,” Vann said.
We need to maintain this partnership, Vann said, emphasizing that tour operators are important partners in mobilizing and encouraging tourists to visit Cambodia.
“We have had discussions and mutual understanding, but we have not signed any agreements and we need to make our work a success of this new achievement. Tour operators will play a key role in attracting tourists to Cambodia. With this support, we aim to see a greater increase in tourists compared to last year as we prepare to welcome more tourists in 2025 and beyond,” he said.
“With a larger airport, we will have the capacity and capability to accommodate larger aircraft, which will enable us to attract both tourists and major investors.”
It is worth noting that Cambodia’s 4F Techo International Airport will open its first phase in July 2025. Currently, the mega airport is more than 90 percent complete and cost over $1.3 billion.
Techo International Airport was named one of the 11 most amazing architectures in the world by CNN, a great achievement for the nation as it will be a key airport for Cambodia’s aviation future.
The airport has been designed with a remarkable capacity that will enable it to handle up to six times more passengers.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Ms. Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA), said that CATA is committed to promoting the new international airport to attract more tourists to Cambodia.
“It is a great achievement for Cambodia. We have a great international airport with a great technology. I am proud as a tour operator because this airport will bring prestige to the Kingdom of Cambodia and we can take this product to the international stage to promote and attract more direct flights,” she said.
Ms. Sivlin continued that this achievement shows tourists and people around the world that Cambodia is ready to welcome major investments, as well as direct flights and tourists of all nationalities, without discrimination.
Ms. Sivlin added, “We will promote our new airport at major travel fairs around the world, especially in March when we have a mission in Berlin, Germany. We will bring photos to show to travel professionals and operators from around the world who will attend the travel fair in Germany.”
She expressed optimism that once the mega airport is officially operational, it will attract more flights to Cambodia.
“When we have more travel connections from major countries, the flow of tourists will increase,” she said. “At that time, Cambodia will grow by welcoming tourists, creating job opportunities for locals, and supporting both direct and indirect tourism-related businesses.”
According to a report by the State Secretariat for Civil Aviation (SSCA), Cambodia’s three international airports received a total of 5.65 million air passengers in 2024, up 39.8 percent from 4.04 million the previous year.
