Cambodia travel improves

PHNOM PENH  Cambodia’s tourist arrivals registered a slight increase of 1.2% in January, this year, according to the statistics and tourist Information Department.

Released by the Ministry of Tourism, Monday, the country registered 466,086 international travellers in the first month of the year compared to 460,577 visits during the same month last year.

Vietnam topped all supply markets with 70,435 visits but was down 8.2% from 76,707 during the same month in 2015.

Other markets in the top five were: China (66,764; +25.6%); South Korea (59,945; -17.9%); Thailand (30,673; +37.9%); and the US (26,739; +9.3%).

Statistics showed that 58.5% (272,707) of all international visitors arrived by airlines. Siem Reap Airport received the major market share, 37.3% (173,825). Phnom Penh Airport secured a market share of 21.0% (97,712) and Sihanoukville Airport just 0.3% (1,170).

Overland travel accounted for 37.3% (173,720) through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel was a small 4.2% (19,659).

Tourist arrivals to Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, accounted for 46.4% market share, or 248,563 visits, while Phnom Penh and other destinations enjoyed a market share of 40.6% attracting 217,523 visits. Coastal areas had a market share of 11.8% with 62,946 visits while ecotourism areas accounted for a 1.2% receiving 6,213 visits.

By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 71.2% market share and posted a decline of 1.2% supporting 331,690 visits from 335,849.

The Middle East recorded an increase of 31.8% with 2,341 visits following by Africa (+17.9%; 920), Americas (+9.5%; 40,211), Oceania (+8.7%; 20,137) and Europe (+6.4%; 90,924).

Outbound trips by Cambodians, in January, reached 108,449 up 31.2% from 82,107 during the same month last year.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon said there had been a remarkable increase in tourist arrivals from China over just a few years.

“China is the second largest source market after neighbouring Vietnam.”

Cambodia could welcome as many as 2 million Chinese tourists by 2020, according to Cambodia Tourism Marketing Strategy 2016 to 2020.

Top 10 source markets to Cambodia January 2016  

sourced:ttrweekly.com