Tourism booming in Cambodia

Cambodia’s tourist arrivals registered a 14.9% growth in October 2013 according to the country’s statistics and tourist information department.

The country attracted 334,410 visits compared to 290,959 during the same month in 2012.

Released by the Ministry of Tourism, last week, data showed Vietnam led the field with 67,459 visits increasing 15.0% from 58,671 during the same month in 2012.

Other top source markets were: China (36,676; +18.7%); Laos (36,431; +51.1%); South Korea (29,676; -4.7%); and Thailand (22,129; -2.1%).

In October, 46.7% (156,060) of all international visitors arrived by airline. Siem Reap Airport received the major share, 26.3% (88,072). Phnom Penh Airport gained a market share of 20.3% (67,988) mainly business travellers who needed to contact government departments or budget travellers who starting or finishing their overland trips.

Overland travel accounts for 51.2% (171,198) travel through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam while sea travel is a small at 2.1% (7,152).

In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals to Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, posted a share of 58.7% attracting 196,263 visits, while arrivals to Phnom Penh and other destinations accounted be 41.3% welcoming 138,147.

By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 78.3% market share and posted a growth of 14.0% supporting 261,970 visits.

Oceania grew 25.0% to 12,543 followed by Europe (+22.3%; 51,462), Americas (+12.5%; 19,858), the Middle East (-18.9%; 688), and Africa (-22.6%; 432).

Outbound trips by Cambodians in October reached 78,287 increasing 11.1% from 70,435 during the same month in 2012.

For January to October, the country welcomed 3,391,621 internatoinal travellers improving 18.2% from 2,868,499 visits during the same period in 2012.

Outbound trips reached 722,680 growing 10.1% for the first 10 months of 2013 year compared to 656,240 trips in 2012.

Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen said tourism is an important agenda item for the sustainable development of the country’s economy.

“In spite of a worldwide economic slowdown during the last two years, Cambodia enjoyed continuous tourism growth. The country will welcome 4.2 million foreign visitors in 2013.”

The PM added: “Tourism development is a priority for the government to achieve sustainable development of cultural and natural heritage sites.”

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