Cambodia’s arrivals improve

BANGKOK, 9 October 2012: Tourist statistics in August showed arrivals from Laos to Cambodia almost doubled, while arrivals from Thailand continued to grow but at a much slower rate.

Cambodia’s Statistics and Tourist Information Department, Ministry of Tourism, reported arrivals from Laos grew 98.7% supplying 24,474 visitors to Cambodia during August. The growth rate skyrocketed over 70% since January this year and in July it was almost 95%.

As for arrivals from Thailand, the percentage growth dropped to 55% (17,834) in August from 75.8% in July and 103% in June. Arrivals from Thailand skyrocketed after the Yingluck administration took office in July last year and relations between the two countries improved.

The strong growth was also the result of  a low base in 2010 and the first half of 2011 when Thai trips to Cambodia dropped due to political conflicts.

Over the eight-month period, January to August, arrivals from Thailand and Laos improved 90.1% and 83% respectively. They ranked fourth and fifth suppliers to Cambodia’s tourism industry.

Overall, Cambodia recorded 293,859 international visitors in August, improving 17.3% year-on-year. The growth rate slowed in August (20% for the first six months, dropping to 18.7% in July) pulled the average growth rate down from 25.6% at the end of July to 24.5% at the end of August. Accumulated arrivals stood at 2,334,793.

Arrivals from the top two suppliers, Vietnam and Korea, showed modest improvement in August: +14.7% (66,271) and +7.4% (30,895) respectively. Arrivals from China in third place grew substantially at 26.2% (28,366).

Among the top 10, only United Kingdom in 10th place reported a decline of 6.5% (8,079).

By region, Asia and the Pacific region accounted for a 78.5% market share, posted the strongest growth of 22% supplying 230,850 arrivals. ASEAN recorded the highest growth at 30.2% due to increases from Laos, Thailand and Malaysia.

Europe grew by just 5.2% supplying 47,594 visitors. Other sub-regions posted single digit growth, but eastern Europe showed a positive 30.7% with Russia  the largest supplier (+38.4%, 4,274).

The Middle East with 694 visitors gained 16.8%.

Meanwhile the Americas (-4.2%, 14,278) and Africa (-8.7%, 443) recorded slight drops.

The surge in trips from neighbouring countries was reflected in a rise of land arrivals, accounting for more than half, 52.3% (153,587 arrivals).

Phnom Penh International Airport welcomed 57,016 passengers (19.4% share), while Siem Reap International Airport welcomed 78,944 (26.9% share).

Phnom Penh and other provinces welcomed 130,357 tourists, or 44.4% of the total, improving 18.9%. Siem Reap tallied 163,502 tourists with a substantial increase of 16.1% over the same period in 2011.

Sourced: ttrweekly