PHNOM PENH: Turkmenistan is interested in strengthening tourism cooperation, especially in establishing a direct flight to Siem Reap cultural province, a key tourism destination in ASEAN, making it the first among the Central Asian countries to have a direct flight with Cambodia.

The intention was made by H.E. Muhammetnyyaz Mashalov, Malaysia-based Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Cambodia during his meeting with H.E. Thong Khon, Cambodian Minister of Tourism here in Phnom Penh on Aug. 14.

H.E. Muhammetnyyaz Mashalov congratulated the Ministry of Tourism as well as the Royal Government of Cambodia on their achievement in restoring and promoting the tourism sector after the COVID-19 crisis.

The Turkmenistan ambassador suggested the organization of tourism events in Cambodia and Turkmenistan to further promote the tourism potentials and destinations between the two countries to tourism operators, and national and international visitors in the world.

From his end, H.E. Thong Khon supported Turkmenistan's intention to tighten the tourism cooperation between the two countries. He suggested the preparation of an MoU, a roadmap for the implementation of an action plan related to tourism cooperation, and a solid witness of the tie of friendship and cooperation between both nations.

According to H.E. Minister, Cambodia received over 3.04 million foreign tourists during the first seven months of 2023, and the figure is expected to rise to some 5 million by the year-end. AKP