Cambodia asks U.S. to help boost its tourism sector

PHNOM PENH, March 1 (Chinese media) -- Cambodia has asked U.S. to provide some

help to boost its tourism sector, one of the kingdom's pillar industries,

Chinese-language newspaper the Jian Hua Daily said on Sunday.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon made this request while meeting with U.S.

Ambassador Carol Rodley here earlier this week, said the paper.

Cambodia expects U.S. to help Cambodia establish a training school of

vocational skills and promote its eco-tourism, especially in face of the global

financial crisis, said the minister.

Rodley expressed her support of the idea, saying that she will relay the

message to the U.S. government in order to help Cambodia develop its human

resources in the tourism sector and push forward its eco-tourism.

Cambodia received around 2 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2008, a 5.5

percent rise over 2007, but slightly lower than the government's expectation,

according to official figures.