Cambodia’s travel on track

Cambodia’s tourist arrivals registered a 20.1% growth in June according to the country’s statistics and tourist information department.
For the first six months, January to June, the country welcomed 2,092,599 international travellers improving 19.1% from 1,756,652 visits during the same period last year. Officials said the country remained on track to reach 4 million visits by the year-end.
Figures indicate tourism was in good shape during the first six months of the year. Tourism Minister Thong Khon expects it to continue to grow, closing the year with 4 million foreign tourists or a 12% rise year-on-year.
The only hiccup could appear in the late July and August figures if protests surrounding fiercely contested national elections impacted on visitor confidence.
The latest figures focused on June when the country attracted 301,412 compared to 250,918 during the same month in 2012.
Released by the Ministry of Tourism, late last week, data showed neighbouring Vietnam was the top supplier with 82,703 representing a 14.3% increase from 72,385 visits in June last year.
Other top source markets were: Laos (37,241; +67.9%); China (28,570; +43.4%); South Korea (24,331; +5.6%); and Thailand (15,075; +10.0%).
In June, 42.0% (126,452) of all international visitors arrived by air. Phnom Penh Airport received the major share, 21.2% (64,019) mainly business-related travellers who needed to contact government departments. Meanwhile, Siem Reap Airport received 20.7% (62,433). The majority were leisure travellers.
Overland travel accounted for 57.4% of all visits (172,939) through border checkpoints shared with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel remained a small 0.7% (2,021).
In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals to Phnom Penh and all other destinations accounted for 58.2% attracting 175,383 visits, while Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, posted a share of 41.8% receiving 126,029 visits.
By region, Asia Pacific accounted for an 83.4% market share and posted a growth of 21.4% supporting 251,324 arrivals.
Africa grew 40.0% to just 497 visits followed by Middle East (+25.4%; 696); Europe (+18.2%; 31,287); Americas (+6.9%; 17,608); and Oceania (-1.2%; 10,588).
Outbound trips by Cambodians in June reached 74,035 increasing 12.1% from 66,070 during the same month last year.
Outbound trips reached 441,292 growing 13.5% for the first half of the year compared to 388,947 trips last year.

Sourced : Cambodia news