Cambodia tourism grows

PHNOM PENH Cambodia’s tourist arrivals improved 3.4% during January to July, this year, according to the Statistics and Tourist Information Department.

Released by the Ministry of Tourism, late last week, the latest data showed the country welcomed 2,756,693 international travellers compared to 2,666,315 during the same period last year.

Outbound trips by Cambodians reached 815,057 up 25.5% for the first seven months of the year from 649,706 trips last year.

In July alone, the country recorded 395,761 inbound trips improving 8.6% from 364,325 during the same month last year.

Vietnam led the supply markets with 90,858 visits up 16.1% from 78,261 visits during the same month last year.

Other markets in the top five were: China (66,220; +9.1%); Thailand (28,424; +21.9%); Laos (27,351; -10.7%); and South Korea (25,272; +4.7%).

The data showed 53.8% (212,735) of all international visitors arrived by airlines. Siem Reap Airport received the major market share, 28.1% (111,266), while Phnom Penh Airport secured a market share of 24.7% (97,789) and Sihanoukville Airport just 0.9% (3,680).

Overland travel accounted for 44.0% (174,011) through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel was a small 2.3% (9,015).

In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals to Phnom Penh and other destinations accounted for 51.8% (227,031 visits), while Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, enjoyed a market share of 38.5%  (168,730 visits). Coastal areas had a market share of 8.8% with 38,699 visits, while ecotourism areas accounted for just 0.9% (3,801 visits).

By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 78.5% market share and posted a slight increase of 9.2%, or 310,766 visits from 284,548.

Oceania recorded an increase of 10.2% with 14,541 visits followed by Europe (+6.8%; 57,872), Americas (+6.0%; 25,288), the Middle East (+6.0%; 1,083) and Africa (+5.2%; 752).

Outbound trips by Cambodians in July, this year, reached 115,403 up 19.4% from 96,692 during the same month last year.

Japan is a key target for the Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism. It forecasts 300,000 Japanese tourists will visit the country, annually, by 2020.

Tourism Minister, Thong Khon, said that to achieve the goal the government needs to improve services and facilities to cater to the Japanese outbound travel market.

More tourism products need to be developed, e-visa and visa-on-arrival should be in place and more Japanese speaking tour guides are urgently required, he said.

All Nippon Airways launched daily flights between Tokyo (Narita) and Phnom Penh, effective 1 September.

Last year, Cambodia welcomed 193,330 Japanese travellers down 10.4% from 215,788 visits in 2014.

sourced:ttrweekly.com