Cambodia 3rd in Asean for tourist growth

• Jan 22, 2019

In 2018 Cambodia experienced the third largest increase in international tourists in Asean, behind only Vietnam and Indonesia, according to data recently released by the Ministry of Tourism.

Last year, the number of international tourists visiting the Kingdom grew by 11 percent, a rate surpassed only by Indonesia, where foreign tourist arrivals grew by 11.6 percent, and Vietnam, who saw a 19.9 increase.

A total of 6.2 million foreign visitors travelled to the Kingdom last year, making Cambodia the seventh most visited country by international tourists in 2018. Laos, Myanmar, Brunei ranked eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively.

Thailand was the top destination for international tourists in the region, with 38 million visitors, followed by Malaysia (23 million), and Singapore (16 million).

International tourists to Asean grew by 7.4 percent for a total of 129 million visitors.

In Cambodia, Chinese tourists continue to top the list of visitors by nationality. 1.9 million Chinese nationals visited Cambodia last year, a whopping 70 percent increase, Tourism Minister Thong Khon recently said.

The minister added that by 2020 the government expects at least 3 million Chinese tourists a year, projecting that the total number of international tourists will reach 7 million that year.

Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the government and tour operators have targeted Chinese tourists in recent years and that this is the main reason they top the list of travellers to the Kingdom.

“Chinese tourists are number one thanks to efforts to promote the country to Chinese citizens,” she said. “The policies of the Ministry of Tourism have been successful and effective.”

Ms Silvin said that industry players should now aim for creating sustainable growth in the sector.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50570963/cambodia-3rd-in-asean-for-tourist-growth/