MANILA, Philippines — Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo wants direct flights to the Cambodian capital from the Philippines.
There are flights to Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia known for the Angkor Wat temple complex, from the Philippines but none to and from Phnom Penh.
"If we have a direct flight, I'm sure tourist arrivals of Cambodian people to the Philippines would increase," Teo said in a press briefing in Cambodia on Thursday.
According to Teo, only 2,000 to 3,000 Cambodians visit the Philippines a year while around 70,000 Filipinos visit Cambodia yearly.
"Medyo it's not balanced," Teo said.
The Philippines and Cambodia have signed an agreement on tourism cooperation, which, according to a Philippine News Agency report, will focus on air connectivity and route development.
"Coordination with respective airline companies and civil aviation authorities will be undertaken towards the launch of direct flights from Manila to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap," Teo said in the PNA report.
She said the two countries could conduct an exchange of students and professionals to learn about each other.
She also added that they would like to invite media people and tour operators to know more about the Philippines and "so they could promote our country."
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez also extended an invitation to potential investors from Cambodia.
"A lot of opportunities, I guess, both ways, Filipino companies expanding to the Cambodian market, as well as our intention to invite them to invest also in the Philippines," Lopez said.
According to Lopez, investors from Cambodia are interested in tourism projects and resorts, as well as finance.