3-11-2023 (PHNOM PENH) Cambodia has reported a remarkable increase in international tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2023, welcoming 3.92 million tourists, marking a substantial 211 percent rise compared to the same period the previous year. These figures were unveiled in a report published by the Ministry of Tourism.
According to the report, the Southeast Asian nation received the highest number of international tourists from Thailand, Vietnam, and China between January and September this year. Thailand led the chart with nearly 1.34 million visitors, followed by 730,075 Vietnamese tourists and 405,514 Chinese travelers.
The substantial growth in arrivals is attributed to Cambodia’s efforts to make the country a safe and appealing destination for foreign visitors, particularly in the context of global travel challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A breakdown of the statistics reveals that 1.34 million of the tourists arrived in Cambodia by air, reflecting an 186 percent increase. The remaining 2.58 million travelers arrived by land and waterways, demonstrating a remarkable 224 percent growth.
The Secretary of State and Spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism, Top Sopheak, expressed optimism that Cambodia would receive at least 5 million international tourists by the end of the year. He underscored that Cambodia is a secure destination for tourists, extending a warm welcome to visitors from around the world, including those from China.
Moreover, the recently inaugurated Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which commenced commercial operations on October 16, is expected to further contribute to Cambodia’s tourism industry. Sopheak emphasized the significance of this new international airport, stating that it would play a pivotal role in stimulating tourism, boosting the country’s economy, trade, and investment.
He expressed hope that the airport would attract new international airlines, ultimately attracting more tourists and investors to Siem Reap province, renowned for its Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tourism stands as one of the four key pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy, alongside garment, footwear, and travel goods exports, agriculture, and construction and real estate.
