Cambodia Sees Surge in International Visitors

Cambodia's tourism sector continues on an upward trajectory, with the country making concerted efforts to surpass pre-pandemic tourism levels through strategic campaigns, international collaborations, and infrastructural enhancements.

In the initial months of 2024, Cambodia has seen a significant uptick in international tourism. Reports indicate that the country welcomed approximately 988,574 foreign visitors in January and February, marking a robust 18% growth compared to the 837,446 tourists recorded in the same period in 2023. Majority of tourists are from the People’s Republic of China, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Cambodia's international tourism sector flourished in 2023, drawing in 5.45 million tourists and generating a revenue of $3.08 billion. Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet has expressed optimism that the nation's tourism figures will surpass pre-pandemic tourism numbers by 2025. In 2019, Cambodia attracted 6.6 million tourists, which generated $4.92 billion in tourism revenue.

Several initiatives are underway to further enhance Cambodia's appeal to global tourists. These include the 2024 Cambodia-PRC people-to-people exchange year, the "Visit Siem Reap 2024" campaign, and the Cambodia-India tourism year. These efforts are expected to significantly contribute to the country's tourism industry.

The newly operational Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is also set to play a pivotal role in increasing tourist accessibility to the renowned UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park and to Cambodia at large. This development is anticipated to serve as a strong draw for international tourists, facilitating their travel within the region.