Modest Uptick In ?09 Tourist Arrivals

The number of foreign tourists arriving in Cambodia increased 1.68 percent in the nine months to the end of September compared to the same period last year, according to data released on Friday by the Tourism Ministry.

Visitor arrivals have increased month on month since June, and in September arrivals grew nearly 5 percent compared to the same month last year, according to ministry figures.

Kong Sopheareak, director of statistics at the ministry, said part of the gain in September reflects the drop in arrivals in September 2008 as the global economic crisis struck. Still, he said, with the high season about a month away the total increase in 2009 should be 3 percent higher than 2008, when 2.15 million people visited the country.

?This year is a little bit better than last year,? he said.

Some in the tourism industry, however, say that more people visiting does not represent more money coming into the country as tourists are still spending less, and some are spending less time here.

Luu Meng, president of the Cambodia Hotel Association, said the industry is recovering but many tourists are not booking ahead in order to avoid paying deposits in case their holiday is cancelled for financial reasons.

Japanese and Korean tourists, who typically spend more time and money in Cambodia than visitors from Vietnam, for example, have decreased, Mr Meng said, adding that more direct flights are needed to encourage them to visit Cambodia again.

?The recovery is on the way but it moves slowly coming back, not a big jump but it?s on the way,? he said.

Philip Setkao, general manager of the Borei Angkor Spa and Resort in Siem Reap, said that so tar only 20 to 30 percent of his hotel's rooms are booked for November and December, though last year 75 to 80 percent of rooms in the same period were booked by the end of October, he said.

?In recent months there is a little bit of a good sign. There are some bookings but if s not very much,? he said.

Sourced = The Cambodia Daily