Interviews with Khmer Tourism Professionals During Covid19

We interviewed Ms. Vanleak Hour the Managing Director of The Sanctuary Residence, Mr. Bun Borin English speaking Tour leader for many well-known luxury travel brands, Mr. Nay Tom a German and English speaking Tour guide since 2008 for many well-known group series and Mrs. Seek Theavy the Senior Sales & Marketing Manager at Sokhalay Angkor Resort & Spa.

Where do you live in Cambodia and what does a usual day look like for you at the moment?  

VL – I live in Siem Reap, in the town centre area. Siem Reap used to be very busy especially starting from October throughout high season, but it’s become very quiet, business is a struggle, some have even permanently shut down. Most of the people are facing the difficulty of losing their job, with no, or reduced income, and still debt from the bank needs to be paid every month.

BB – I live in Siem Reap, we have a hard life at the moment struggling and it’s stressful, trying to find a new way of living.

ST – I live in Siem Reap, I am married with two children, and in total there are 6 people in my family. I am a Senior Sales & Marketing Manager at Sokhalay Angkor Resort & Spa, my husband and younger brother are working in the hotel industry too. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, three of us are jobless because our companies have temporarily closed from 01^st April until further notice. 

NT – I live in Siem Reap. At the moment it is relatively quiet and only a bit busy only during public holidays, mainly with local people from other provinces visiting Angor Wat. Currently, I mostly stay home with my family.

How have you and your family dealt with the loss of income from international tourism?

VL – As a business owner, mainly targeting international tourism, we run into very big problems, since the borders closed and no tourist visas are being issued since March. However, to deal with the loss of income, we try to target local people instead by promoting local attractions nearby, and promoting discounts on room’s and other facilities within the property.

BB – We have to sell our only car to survive, change my way of life totally like moving the kids from private school back to state school. No more crazy fun life. Most importantly, we can’t pay the bank loan.

NT – We just survive from our money savings and we don’t know how long can continue to so this, it’s a real worry

ST – While unemployed due to the company’s temporary closure, I have tried to find a new job, but unfortunately I cannot find one, because there are many companies in Siem Reap are temporarily closed and continue to close due to most of them heavily depending on international tourism. 

How are you spending your time during these last few months?

VL – Since early April, business is getting quieter, our staff are scheduled to work only half a month each and get 50% salary. Both we and they are fighting very hard for survival, we try many different techniques to earn a bit of income to keep the business going on.

BB – Most of the time, I try to build up my knowledge, encourage myself by studying more like reading books, watching training courses via youtube, Especially trying to find a new way of making money beside tourism, I’m currently selling houses though a company.

NT – I spend most of the time in front of my computer looking for alternative opportunities or think of different ideas to find a job or open a small business, but it’s very hard to find the right job for my skills.ST – Now I’m back in my village to help my mom and mom in law produce agricultural products to sell to local people, however I am still trying to find a new job now.

Are there any local activities or places popular with Khmers that you believe international guests would enjoy in the future once tourism returns?

VL – Community tourism sites such as Chambok hos community, Kampong pluk, Kampong Kleang, Beong Pearian as well as Eco-Tourism sites: Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Knong Psa, Areng, Aural Mountain, O’Som in the Cardamom’s and Phnom Tbeng at Preah Vihear  Province.

BB – I think cycling to natural tourism areas, adventure and camping, mostly Phnom Kulen and the coastline at the southwest corner of Cambodia.

NT – There are a lot of people who like cycling around the temples, Trekking to Koulen Mountain and beyond or visiting a local community to learn about people’s daily lives.

How has Siem Reap changed in recent years with the amount of tourists greatly increasing pre-pandemic?

VL – It makes the economics of Siem Reap increase from year to year. The standard of healthy living of the local people had started to change because they have had very good income. The Infrastructure is improving more and more, renovating and becoming more modern day by day. New business established specially in Tourism, Real estate, education, health care. By seeing this potential, we also decide to establish our property  ‘The Sanctuary Residence’ too. 

NT – Before Covid-19, Siem Reap had increasing job opportunities and construction of new buildings like hotels and restaurants. Sadly now many are closed.

What kind of travellers do you expect to Cambodia first and when?

VL – The first travellers will be from our Neighbours like Thailand, Vietnam, Lao, and then from other ASEAN countries. We hope maybe they start to travel around February or March 2021. 

BB – I think Chinese and other Southeast Asian nationalities, in 1.5 to 2 years more.  

NT – We expect that more European travelers will be the first to come around 2022.

ST – I believe that, when the Covid-19 vaccine is ready for use for all people around the world, tourism in Siem Reap / Cambodia will back to normal like in the past 2008-2009 and 2013-18 or even increase more than that and I hope UK, USA, EU, Japanese will return to visit Cambodia first because Cambodia is rich of tourist sites such as Adventure, Natural, Heritage, Culture, Beach and much more.

Do you believe there are any positives that have come from these last few months of restrictions, for the people, the community or the Kingdom?

VL – People start to be concerned about their health and cleanliness. They understand how important the health protection is. Have empathy for others and be grateful for the little things in life. In life, we need to remain flexible. We find the true people in our life. True friends, true business partners, specially our family that are always there with us. 

BB – There some positives from restrictions. For people; we care about health, we have more time with family; for community, we respect others and our family health, we understand about the importance of cleanliness.

Thank you all for your time and we wish the best for you, your families and community moving forward.

*These interviews were conducted in both English and Khmer and we apologize for any minor translation errors on our part.