Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who is well known to Cambodians, has returned to the Kingdom for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.

In the past, the American film star directed the film First They Killed My Father here after starring in Tomb Raider, released in 2001, which is considered the first international movie in modern times to introduce the wonder of Angkor Wat to a wider, western audience.

A valuable boon for Cambodia's tourism

The arrival of Hollywood starlet Angelina Jolie in Cambodia during the Covid-19 crisis serves as invaluable promotion of the Kingdom as a safe tourist destination and comes as the greatest boost in its efforts to attract tourists since its November reopening, according to industry insiders.

The actress and human rights ambassador arrived in the Kingdom to visit Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap from February 20-21, where she officially inaugurated the Women for Bees programme, organised in collaboration with UNESCO and coordinated by the APSARA National Authority (ANA).

The UNESCO-GUERLAIN beekeeping programme, which she founded, aims to help conserve the Apis cerana and Apis dorsata species of honey bees native to Angkor Archaeological Park. It also hopes to promote sustainable beekeeping and empower women to earn a living for their families and communities.

After her time in Siem Reap, Jolie was subsequently spotted visiting Tuol Tompoung Market in Phnom Penh on February 23.

ANA deputy director-general Long Kosal said that the arrival of the Hollywood superstar is a boon for the Cambodian tourism sector. Her visit will prove to tourists and foreign investors that Cambodia is a safe destination that has largely recovered from the Covid-19 crisis, he said.

He said it should be noted that the Kingdom has also been recognised worldwide for achieving a high rate of vaccination against the virus.

“The arrival of Angelina Jolie is also a symbol that Cambodia is a safe tourism destination,” he told The Post.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia chapter chairman Thourn Sinan told The Post on February 24 that Jolie’s Cambodia visit has been a significant contribution to the promotion of Cambodian tourism to the world by providing confidence and an abundance of free advertising.

He added that her arrival was timely as it coincided with the Kingdom’s efforts to promote tourism after its reopening to fully vaccinated visitors.

“Angelina Jolie’s trip to Cambodia I can call free marketing, especially as it has helped Cambodia save millions of dollars from tourism advertising. It will greatly contribute to the promotion of Cambodian tourism to the world,” he said.

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) adviser Ho Vandy agreed, saying that Jolie’s visit coincides and likely precipitates what he expects will be a gradual increase in the number of international flights to the Kingdom.

“Although the number of international tourists arriving in Cambodia is still small, I expect that from next month the number of international tourists coming to Cambodia will gradually rise as the number of international flights will also increase,” he said.

What a surprise!

This time, the famous filmmaker and star Jolie has been spotted in front of the Angkor Wat temple, surprising many tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers after they saw her walking to see the sunrise early in the morning around 7am on Monday.

Hanging out in front of Angkor Wat, tuk-tuk driver Sen Soeu said yesterday: “I was very surprised to see the American movie star by coincidence on Monday when she walked out from Angkor Wat. I ran up to her and asked to take a photo with her and she took one with me.”

He added that he couldn’t ask her any more questions because he saw two or three people walking with her.

“Actually, I wanted to ask her more questions but I couldn’t do it. Anyway, it was good she allowed me to take a photo,” he said.

Tour guide Mom Sopheaktra said: “I saw Angelina Jolie yesterday in front of Angkor Wat at 8am. I asked to take a photo with her and after doing so she walked away.”

While Jolie took some photos in front of Angkor Wat with Apsara Authority staff and some ticket checking guides, there were questions that she maybe has a new project in Siem Reap.

Apsara Authority spokesman Long Kosal said that Jolie has nothing to do with it.

“If you see our Apsara staff take a photo with her, it is personal only,” he said.

He added that the American film star might have an environment project with UNESCO.

UNESCO did not reply in time with any comment. According to Crossroads Today, Jolie planned to return to Cambodia this year to establish the next Women for Bees programme.

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My name is Jolie, I am a Vietnamese girl growing up in the countryside of Hai Duong, northern Vietnam. Since a little girl, I was always dreaming of exploring the far-away lands, the unseen beauty spots of the world. My dream has been growing bigger and bigger day after day, and I do not miss a chance to make it real. After graduating from the univesity of language in Hanoi, I started the exploration with a travel agency and learning more about travel, especially responsible travel. I love experiencing the different cultures of the different lands and sharing my dream with the whole world. Hope that you love it too!

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