Slight increase in Cambodia’s tourism

PHNOM PENH Cambodia’s tourist arrivals registered a slight increase of 0.4% in July according to the country’s statistics and tourist information department.
The country attracted 340,091 visits compared to 338,761 during the same month last year.
Released officially by the Ministry of Tourism, Monday, data showed Vietnam led the field with 70,669 visits, but it was a decrease of 16.3% from 84,385 during the same month in 2013.
Other top supply markets were: China (43,215; +18.4%); Laos (43,009; +11.8%); South Korea (25,860; -10.0%); and Thailand (19,484; +3.5%).
In July, 49.8% (169,351) of all international visitors arrived by air. Siem Reap Airport received a major share, 27.2% (92,371). Phnom Penh Airport received a market share of 22.6% (76,980), mainly business travellers who needed to contact government departments, or budget travellers who were starting or finishing their overland trips.
Overland travel accounts for 48.4% (164,703) travel through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel is a small 1.8% (6,037).
In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals to Phnom Penh and other destinations accounted for 45.5%, or 174,196 visits, while arrivals to Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, posted a share of 43.3% or 165,895 visits. Coastal areas had a share of 10.1% with 38,661 visits, while ecotourism areas accounted for 1.1% or 4,374 visits.
By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 78.6% market share, but posted a decline of 0.3% on 267,232 vsits.
Oceania and Africa recorded a growth of 21.7% each with 14,225 and 483 arrivals respectively. Other markets were: Americas (+8.0%; 20,773); Europe (+1.3%; 51,051); and the Middle East (-9.8%; 552).
For January to July, the country welcomed 2,541,459 internatoinal travellers improving 4.5% from 2,431,360 visits during the same period in 2013.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Vietnam, China, and South Korea remained the largest source markets. There was a steady increase in Chinese tourists, year on year, due to more direct flights between the two countries. Cambodia expects to receive 500,000 Chinese visitors this year and possibly 1.5 million by 2020.

sourced:ttrweekly.com