Thai Tourist Influx Catalyzes Significant Growth in Cambodia’s Tourism Sector
The contribution of Thai tourists to Cambodia’s burgeoning tourism sector is increasingly significant, as illustrated by the latest statistics revealing a remarkable 23.2% surge in arrivals. This growth is underscored by a recent report from the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, indicating that over 3.74 million international visitors flocked to Cambodia in the initial seven months of 2024, marking a notable rise compared to the same period in the preceding year.
In particular, Thailand has emerged as the foremost source of international visitors to Cambodia, accounting for 1,147,534 arrivals. Other key markets contributing to this increase include Vietnam, China, Laos, the United States, South Korea, Indonesia, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan, as documented in the ministry’s report.
Among the total foreign arrivals, approximately 1.34 million travelers entered Cambodia via air, representing about 36% of the overall figure. This mode of entry experienced a substantial increase of 26.4% from the previous year. In addition, land and waterway access also contributed to the increase, with domestic arrivals via these methods witnessing a rise of 21.5%.
Phnom Penh has established itself as the most favored destination among international tourists, closely followed by the scenic Siem Reap province and various coastal regions. Furthermore, Cambodia reported a 5.9% growth in outbound tourism, with 1,069,078 Cambodians journeying abroad.
On August 23, Thim Sereyvuth, the Acting Director of the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism, conveyed optimism regarding the influx of tourists. He underscored the positive impact of this growth on economic advancement and local development, affirming the importance of tourism alongside other vital sectors such as garment and footwear manufacturing, agriculture, and construction within Cambodia’s economy.
In 2023, Cambodia successfully welcomed approximately 5.45 million foreign tourists, resulting in an impressive revenue of $3.08 billion. Such figures underscore the vital role that tourism plays in not only enhancing the economy but also in fostering growth and development within the nation.
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