Worries over a visa-free Vietnam

PHNOM PENH Vietnam’s visa exemption for five European countries has caused unease in Cambodia’s tourism sector that the move might impact on arrivals to the kingdom.
Starting 1 July, citizens from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy will be granted a visa exemption to visit Vietnam for up to 15 days.
Tour operators in Cambodia fear that the incentive will tip the balance in favour of visiting Vietnam rather than Cambodia where most visitors still need to buy a visa-on-arrival.
The waiver applies for one year, but there were indicators that Vietnam could extend it once there was convincing data that it benefitted the country’s economy and the tourism industry.
inside no 3The visa exemption for Belarus will also start 1 July. The policy will be effective for five years up to 2020.
Vietnam currently offers visa-free travel to seven countries; Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia.
It also has a visa-free policy for nine ASEAN countries; Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Phnom Penh Post quoted a private sector-government working group on tourism co-chair, Ho Vandy, saying visa exemptions could impact on Cambodia’s tourism industry and that the government should consider a similar scheme for European tourists.
“This is the right time for our government to be flexible, as the private sector has raised the issue of discounts on visa fees or exemptions [in the past],” he said.
Despite repeated requests that the government relax rules, or reduce fees on visas, government officials see visas as a lucrative source of revenue.
Cambodia allows visa-free travel for tourists from ASEAN member states.

sourced:ttrweekly.com