Cambodia tourism grows 2.6%

PHNOM PENH Cambodia’s tourist arrivals registered an increase of 2.6% during January to March, this year, according to the Statistics and Tourist Information Department.

Released by the Ministry of Tourism, Tuesday, the country recorded 1,342,477 international visits during the first quarter compared to 1,307,836 visits during the same period last year.

Outbound trips by Cambodians reached 328,347 growing 33.0% for the first three months of the year from 246,912 trips last year.

During March, the country recorded 427,923 visits improving 2.6% from 417,052 during the same month last year.

Vietnam led the supply markets with 75,190 visits, down 5.4% from 79,506 visits during the same month last year.

Other top five markets were: China (69,417; +10.2%); South Korea (27,839; -25.2%); Thailand (27,770; +2.3%); and the United States (24,923; +19.5%).

The data reported 57.2% (244,559) of all international visitors arrived by airlines. Siem Reap Airport received the major market share, 32.6% (139,699) while Phnom Penh Airport secured a market share of 24.5% (104,860).

Overland travel accounted for 37.7% (161,397) through checkpoints with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, while sea travel was a small 5.1% (21,967).

In addition, the data showed tourist arrivals (219,944) to Phnom Penh and other destinations accounted for 43.8% of all visits, while Siem Reap province, home of Angkor Wat, enjoyed a market share of 41.4% (207,979 visits). Coastal areas had a market share of 13.4% with 67,289 visits, while ecotourism areas accounted for a 1.4% receiving 6,821 visits.

By region, Asia Pacific accounted for a 71.6% market share and posted a decrease of 1.2% supporting 306,591 visits from 310,278.

Oceania recorded an increase of 55.5% with 16,285 visits following by the Middle East (+29.7%; 1,669), America (+20.9%; 37,645), Europe (+10.3%; 81,198) and Africa (+10.2%; 820).

Outbound trips by Cambodians in March, this year, reached 103,936  increasing 18.9% from 87,447 during the same month last year.

Phnom Penh Post quoted Ministry of Tourism’s Statistics and Information Department director, Kong Sopheareak, saying tourist arrivals inched up during the first quarter of the year as Cambodia continued to draw more Asian travellers.

He confirmed a proposal to introduce a three-year multi-entry visa valid for tourists from China, South Korea and Japan was awaiting government approval.

Cambodia grants visa exemption to Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, all member-nations of ASEAN and is cooperating with Thailand to offer a two-country visa applied for at embassy of the first point of entry.

Nationals of other countries can obtain a visa-on-arrival for tourism (USD30) or for a business visit (USD35), for a maximum stay of 30 days.