Cambodia’s tourism slows

BANGKOK, 9 November 2012: Cambodia’s latest tourism data for September indicates a slowdown in the growth rate for international arrivals.

Cambodia’s Statistics and Tourist Information Department, Ministry of Tourism, reported arrivals increased 15.7% in September, the lowest growth rate so far for this year based on 242,747 visits during the month.

The  percentage increase  for the nine-month period was pulled down from 24.5% at the end of August to 23.6%. From January to September Cambodia tallied 2,577,540 international tourists.

In September, arrivals from many of the country’s key markets posted slower growth and Korea, usually in second place, was the only market in the top 10 to post a decline of 2.5% relegating it to fourth place (19,340).

Arrivals from Thailand improved 4.7% from September last year, considered a very small improvement when compared to a growth rate of 55% in August. It grew 55% and 83% for the eight-month period.

In September 2011, arrivals from Thailand grew subatanstially by 20% after the Yingluck administration took office in July last year, which signaled an improvement in diplomatic relations.

Arrivals from Laos remain strong. It supplied 25,370 tourists to Cambodia, a surge of 89.2%.

Arrivals from China continue to be robust. In September the market rose to second place with a growth of 40.8%, or 26,819 visits.

Interestingly September saw the Philippines join the top 10 ranking as arrivals grew 26.5%, supplying 7,957 visits.

By region, The Middle East posted the strongest growth (34%), but the base was only 860 tourists. Asia and the Pacific region accounted for an 82.9% market share, posted a growth of 17.3% supplying 201,211 arrivals. Europe grew by just 7.5% supplying 27,530 visitors. Other sub-regions posted single digit growth, but eastern Europe showed a positive 20.3% with Russia the largest supplier (+25.1%, 3,306). The Americas (9.4%, 12,721) and Africa (+2.7%, 425) also recorded slight increases.

The surge in trips from neighbouring countries was reflected in an increase of land arrivals, accounting for more than half; 54.3% (131,798 arrivals).

Phnom Penh International Airport welcomed 50,023 passengers (20.6% share), while Siem Reap International Airport welcomed 58,153 (24% share).

Phnom Penh and other provinces welcomed 121,157 tourists, or 49.9% of the total, improving 33.2%. Siem Reap tallied 121,590 tourists with a marginal increase of 2.3% over the same period in 2011.

Sourced: ttrweekly