PHNOM PENH Cambodia has signed a bilateral air service agreement with Mongolia that could theoretically pave the way for direct flights between the two Asian countries.

Phnom Penh Post quoted the State Civil Aviation Secretariat spokesman, Sinn Chanserey Vutha, saying the agreement on bilateral air service could create a link to encourage investment and tourism.

While governments routinely sign agreements on bilateral aviation matters, commercial considerations suggest it would have little value for the country’s tourism industry.

But government officials gave it their best shot telling the local newspaper there might be a market for tours to Angkor Wat from Mongolia.

“The agreement could attract more Mongolian tourists to visit Angkor Wat and our beaches, as Mongolia has no coastline…it also would help draw a potential investment on both sides,” he said.

However, the number of Mongolians visiting Cambodia remains extremely low according to Ministry of Tourism data.

In 2015, there were just 458 Mongolians visited the kingdom up from 359 visits in 2014.

Travel organisations in Mongolia include 403 travel companies, 320 hotels, 317 resorts and tourist camps.

Airlines home based in Mongolia are Aero Mongolia, Air Cargo Mongolia, Blue Sky Aviation, Central Mongolia Airways, Hunnu Airlines, Trans Mongolia, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Sky Horse Aviation and Thomas Air.

The majority of visitors to Mongolia arrive through Chinggis Khaan International Airport, located  southwest of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. There are several airlines that fly to Mongolia (airport code: ULN) directly from Korea, China, Russia, Germany (via Moscow) and Japan.

sourced:ttrweekly.com