Cambodia sets 2020 tourism target

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expects the country to welcome 8 million foreign visitors by 2020.
“Tourism is one of the key sectors supporting the economy, which last year generated around US$2.5 billion in revenue…we welcomed 4.2 million international tourist arrivals.”

Despite the drive to attract more tourists, there is growing criticism that the boom is being achieved at the expense of quality and culture. Independent agencies warn that the Angkor Wat Historical Park can only absorb so much tourist traffic and controls should be in place to ensure the World Heritage site is not devalued by commercial tourism. Much of the revenue earned from gate fees at the park goes into the pockets of wealthy establishments with few financial benefits filtering down to local communities.
But government officials cite the wider benefits to the national economy claiming tourism is now a vital industry to raise living standards across the country.
The largest sources of tourists to Cambodia are Vietnam, China, South Korea, Laos and Thailand.
ASEAN tourists top the supply regions at 1.83 million visits, last year, commanding an impressive 43.5% market share.
Vietnamese visitors accounted for 854,104 trips followed by Laos (414,531) and Thailand (221,259). Malaysia and the Philippines were fourth and fifth with 130, 704 tourists and 118,999 respectively.
In addition, 57,808 Singaporeans, 28,199 Indonesians, 5, 089 Myanmar nationals, and 814 Brunei citizens visited the country last year.
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents president, Ang Kim Eang, said the growth of ASEAN travellers to Cambodia was due to better airline links and improved overland transport.
“Visa exemption agreements between Cambodia and all ASEAN member states encourages more travel,” he said.
Cambodia grants visa exemption to citizens of all ASEAN nations and is cooperating with Thailand to offer a two-country visa applied for at embassy of the first point of entry for nationalities that are required to obtain visas for both countries.

Sourced: Cambodia News