Foreign tourists
Cambodia welcomed 3.92 million foreign tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2023, surging 211% year on year, the country’s Ministry of Tourism said.
Thailand topped the sources of international arrivals, followed by Vietnam and China.
The three countries posted respective growth rates of 189%, 156%, and 549% in the number of visitors to Cambodia, according to the ministry’s report.
Meanwhile, 1.34 million foreign tourists visited Cambodia by air, up 186%, and 2.58 million by land and waterways, up 224%.
Top Sopheak, Secretary of State and Spokesman of the Tourism Ministry said the country expects to receive at least 5 million international arrivals this year.
He voiced his belief that more international tourists will be attracted to Cambodia after Siem Reap Angkor International Airport becomes operational on October 16.
Tourism is one of the four pillars of the Cambodian economy, in addition to garment, footwear, and travel goods export; agriculture; and construction and real estate.
Meanwhile, in Henan province, China, the ‘Zhengzhou-Cambodia-ASEAN New Air Silk Road Development Forum’ was officially inaugurated by China and Cambodia. The event, which took place on Friday, was held at the Conference Centre of Huanghe State Guesthouse in Henan Peony Hall and was jointly hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC).
An Wei, a member of the Standing Committee of CPC Henan Provincial Committee and Secretary of Zhangzhou Municipal Party Committee, delivered opening remarks. He emphasized that the establishment of the ‘Henan-Cambodia-ASEAN Air Silk Road’ would create a new framework for regional cooperation.
