During the first eight months of 2024, the total number of international arrivals reached 4.29 million, a 22.5% rise from the same period in 2023. Hong Raksmey
The Ministry of Tourism reported a significant rise in international tourist arrivals for August, reflecting a continued recovery in the sector.
“Cambodia received 548,828 international visitors during the month, marking an 18.1% increase compared to August 2023,” according to the ministry’s report released today, September 27.
The growth follows a general trend of recovery for the country’s tourism industry, which was severely impacted by the global pandemic.
The latest report noted that from January to August, the total number of international arrivals reached 4.29 million, a 22.5% rise from the same period in 2023.
The August 2024 statistics show a steady rise in tourists arriving by both air and land.
“Of the total 548,828 visitors, 34.7% arrived by air, with Phnom Penh International Airport [PNH] being the primary gateway,” said the report.
The capital’s airport saw 146,207 international travellers, a 34.2% increase over August 2023.
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), another key point of entry, received 41,406 international tourists, up by 8% compared to last year.
Land and waterways also played an important role, accounting for 65.3% of total arrivals. Border crossings saw a notable 12.9% increase, as 352,763 tourists entered the country by land.
The waterways experienced the most substantial percentage rise, with 5,456 visitors in August, marking a 47.1% year-on-year increase.
“Total international tourist arrivals for the first eight months of 2024 reached 4.29 million, compared to 3.5 million during the same period in 2023,” said the report.
The ministry noted a particularly strong recovery in the first quarter of the year, which saw a 22.5% increase from 2023.
The trend highlights the continuing appeal of the Kingdom as a tourist destination, particularly for visitors from neighboring ASEAN countries.
The majority of tourists hailed from the Asia-Pacific region, which contributed 85.7% of total arrivals.
ASEAN member states remained the largest source, with 2.72 million tourists visiting Cambodia between January and August.
“Tourists from Thailand and Vietnam led the influx, with 1.34 million and 868,445 visitors, respectively. Both countries recorded double-digit growth compared to 2023,” the report added.
Northeast Asia, including China, South Korea and Japan, also saw significant increases in tourist numbers to Cambodia.
China sent 538,834 travellers to Cambodia, representing a 47.7% increase compared to 2023.
This highlights a resurgence in Chinese tourism, which was a critical market for Cambodia before the pandemic.
The August report said that when comparing 2024 to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, the recovery is evident but not yet complete.
The total number of tourists in the first eight months of 2024 was still 1.6% lower than the same period in 2019, when 4.36 million tourists visited the country.
The top ten source countries for international travellers in August included Thailand, Vietnam, China, the US and Japan. Tourists from Thailand accounted for 35.2% of all visitors, followed by Vietnam at 20.2% and China at 13.6%.
