Cambodia will debut its inaugural travel mart this November, an event backed by the tourism ministry.

Tourism minister Thong Khon has said that it was time to launch Cambodia Travel Mart (CTM) 2017 as the country has started to “integrate itself in the region” and should demonstrate its “abilities to compete with neighbouring countries and attract tourist growth”.

CTM 2017 is a project two years in the making. It will be organised by SlickBooth Holding Event & Public Relations, with TTG Events – a business unit of TTG Asia Media – taking on media and buyer attendee acquisition.

To date, more than 400 companies have registered as attendees, but only 150 to 200 will be qualified finally – 80 per cent of which will be from Asia-Pacific and the rest from Europe.

Ooi Peng Ee, general manager of TTG Events, said efforts will be made to ensure all attending buyers are of quality.

More than 200 national and international sellers are also expected, alongside more than 50 media outlets.  Running from November 17-19, the event boasts a varied programme that takes in online business matching, trade seminars, pre- and post-show tours, exhibitions, friendly golf tournaments, workshops and a hosted dinner at one of Angkor’s temples.