SEVERAL tour operators in Myanmar and Cambodia are reporting robust interest in Myanmar Airways International's (MAI) new twice-weekly Yangon-Siem Reap flight launched on February 23.

Yangon-based Unique Asia Travels and Tours executive director Lynn Zaw Wai Mang said the company had started a four-day/three-night trip to Siem Reap from this month due to an influx in enquiries for tour programmes to the Angkor town.

Phnom Penh-based Great Angkor Tours managing director Ang Kim Eang said he had also introduced a Siem Reap-Yangon-Gaya (in India) package to cater to the predominantly Buddhist population of Cambodia.

But Cambodia’s Intra Travel director Han Rutten said more promotions were needed to spur interest, as many still did not know about the new Yangon-Siem Reap flight connection.

He suggested that tour promotions centre on the Siem Reap-Yangon-Bangkok route for international travellers and the Siem Reap-Yangon-Bagan or Siem Reap-Yangon-Bago-Kyaikhtiyo circuit for long-weekend visitors.

Myanmar has said it would grant visa-on-arrival for foreign visitors arriving in Yangon on MAI's direct flight from Siem Reap (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 15, 2011).