Cambodia’s tourism improves

23 May 2017 2071 | Cambodia Travel News

PHNOM PENH Cambodia’s tourist arrivals improved 11.9% during January to March this year, according to the Statistics and Tourist Information Department.

Released by the Ministry of Tourism, last week, the latest data showed the country welcomed 1,502,896 international travellers compared to 1,342,477 during the same period last year.

Outbound trips by Cambodians reached 368,345 up 12.2% for the first three months of the year from 328,347 trips during the same period in 2016.

In March alone, the country recorded 477,374 inbound trips improving 11.6% from 427,923 during the same month last year.

China led the supply markets with 100,565 visits up 44.9% from 69,417 visits during the same month last year.

Other markets in the top five were: Vietnam (62,361; -17.1%); Laos (42,639; +125.9%); Thailand (27,214; -2.0%); and South Korea (26,243; -5.7%).

The data showed 61.1% (291,483) of all international visitors arrived by airlines. Siem Reap Airport received the major market share, 35.0% (167,018), while Phnom Penh Airport secured a market share of 24.6% (117,418) and Sihanoukville Airport just 1.5% (7,047).

Overland travel accounted for 34.9% (166,766) through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel was a small 4.0% (19,125).

In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals to Phnom Penh and other destinations accounted for 45.2% (252,023 visits), while Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, enjoyed a market share of 40.5% (225,351 visits). Coastal areas had a market share of 13.0% with 72,503 visits, while ecotourism areas accounted for just 1.3% (7,207 visits).

By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 72.0% market share and posted an increase of 13.0%, or 346,435 visits from 306,591.

Africa recorded an increase of 28.9% with 1,057 visits followed by the Middle East (+37.0; 2,287), Europe (+8.6%; 88,147), Americas (+4.8; 39,448) and the Oceania (-2.1%; 15,937).

Outbound trips by Cambodians in March, this year, reached 123,329 up 18.7% from 103,936 during the same month last year.

The year-on-year tourism growth is due mainly to an increase in direct flights from various countries that generate travel to Cambodia. Other factors include the increase in festivals and events as well as new products that have been established last year, according to the ministry’s Statistics and Planning Department director Kong Sopheareak.

Cambodia expects to attract around 7 million foreign tourists by 2020 earning an estimated revenue of around USD5 billion and generating some 1 million direct jobs.

The country projects 5.4 million international tourists this year. Last year, the country welcomed 5.1 million visits increasing 5% from 4.77 million in 2015. Overall, tourism revenue declined from USD3.5 billion in 2015, to USD3 billion, or 13% of GDP in 2016.