Cambodian PM Manet announces ambitious plan to attract film crews

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has revealed that Cambodia is preparing to introduce packages for “film tourism”, following the successful promotion of the country as a tourism destination via international films, like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie.

Speaking to tour guides in Siem Reap province during an unofficial visit to the country’s popular tourism destination on Sept 3, Mr Manet explained that through the package, film crews will enjoy discounted ticket prices to selected locations – for example, within the Angkor Archaeological Park – as not everyone will be charged.

“We will designate some locations for ‘film tourism’. For example, if a region is designated as one of these locations, when a crew comes to shoot, we will offer them a special price, regardless of how many days they stay for. When the filming is completed, we even provide some incentives to the film companies,” he said.

Mr Manet explained that once the new policy is in force, individual members of the cast and crew of a production will not be charged – a package price will be offered instead.

One tour guide who met with Mr Manet said that he had asked many international tourists about how they came to hear about Cambodia and make the decision to come here. He said many of them said they learnt about Cambodia through Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Mr Manet also briefed the assembled tour guides on the Cambodian government’s latest efforts to restore the tourism sector, which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, among other issues. These measures include the recently introduced e-arrival system, the adjustment of visiting hours at Angkor and the fine-tuning of the purchase process of tickets, as well as the promotion of Cambodia tourism through events like the recent Gumball 3000.

Some tour guides encouraged Mr Manet to push for more modern tourism promotions, such as those applied in Thailand.

Currently, ticket prices for the Angkor site are divided into three categories: US$37 (S$48) for a one-day pass, US$62 for a three-day pass and US$72 for a seven-day pass.

Nearly 700,000 foreign guests purchased tickets to visit the Angkor Archaeological Park, generating over US$32 million in the first nine months of 2024. This marks an increase of almost one-third from 2023, according to data from Angkor Enterprise. 

*THE PHNOM PENH POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK