Cambodia tourism stride ahead

20 Sep 2013 2083 | Cambodia Travel News

Cambodia’s tourist arrivals registered a 19.2% growth in July according to the country’s statistics and tourist information department.

The country attracted 338,761 visits compared to 284,282 during the same month in 2012.

Released by the Ministry of Tourism, late last week, data showed neighbouring Vietnam was the top supplier with 84,385 trips representing an 11.4% increase from 75,761 visits in July last year.

Other top market sources were: Laos (38,465; +59.8%); China (36,509; +33.4%); South Korea (28,731; -1.3%); and Thailand (18,827; +39.1%).

In July, 42.7% (144,649) of all international visitors arrived by air. Siem Reap Airport received the major share, 22.6% (76,571). Meanwhile, Phnom Penh Airport received a market share of 20.1% (68,078).

Overland travel accounts for 56.2% (190,235) of all travel through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel is a small at 1.1% (3,877).

In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals to Phnom Penh and other destinations accounted for 53.0% or 179,517 visits, while Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, had a market share of 47.0% with 159,244 trips.

By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 79.1% market share and posted a growth of 20.1% supplying 268,103 visits.

Europe grew 20.2% to 50,417 visits followed by Oceania (+9.2%; 11,692), Americas (+6.6%; 19,232), Africa (-9.6%; 397), and the Middle East (-9.9%; 19,232).

Outbound trips by Cambodians in July reached 67,758 increasing 2.6% from 66,070 during the same month last year.

January to July, the country welcomed 2,431,360 internatoinal travellers improving 19.1% from 2,040,934 visits during the same period last year.

Outbound trips reached 509,050 growing 11.9% for the first seven months of the year from 455,017 trips last year.

The tourism ministry’s statistics and planning department chief, Kong Sopheareak, said the tourism sector has seen a steady growth even in July when the country held a general election.

“We foresee that tourism could attract up to 4.1 million foreigners this year,” he said.

Sourced: ttrweekly