Cambodia's arrivals make gains

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism reported the country welcomed 350,257 international tourists during January, representing a double digit growth of 27.6%.

The country expects arrivals to reach 3.2 million this year, based on a moderate projection of around 10% increase over 2.9 million visits recorded in 2011. Meanwhile, arrivals were up 14.9% compared 2010 and 2011.

Tourism revenue should rise 10.5% to US$2.1 billion from US$1.9 billion last year.

In 2011, the average length of stay was 6.5 days and hotel occupancy rates averaged 66.15%.

In January, 53% (185,499) of all international visitors arrived by air. Siem Reap took the much greater share, 34.1% (119,543), while Phnom Penh Airport received 18.8% (65,956).

The trend irks tourism officials who believe the capital is under rated as a tourist destination and should do better. They argue the city’s riverside boulevard is a signature attraction in the Mekong Region countries.

But over commercialisation, beggars and children recruited to play on the sympathies of tourists are the downsides.

Overland travel accounted for 43.8% (153,385) and a small amount of 3.2% (11,373) travelled by sea.

Siem Reap welcomed 224,145 tourists, or 64% of the total and an increase of 34.7%.

The top international travel supplier, was neighbouring Vietnam with 58,940 tourists, a surge of 55.6% followed by Korea supplying 55,871, up16%.

Arrivals from China (3rd place), Russia (4th place) and Laos (8th place) skyrocketed at 61.4%, 61.4% and 73.8% respectively.

Arrivals from Thailand grew by just 2.9% with the market in 9th place.

Among key markets, only Japan showed a decline of 0.3%.

In addition, trips by Cambodians reached 71,541, a 50.2% rise over the same month last year.

Source - ttrweekly