Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that in the first seven months of 2022, Cambodia has received more than 740,000 international tourists – an increase of 560 per cent compared to the same period in 2021.

He added that the re-opening of all socio-economic activities had boosted major tourist destinations such as Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk province by bringing back visitors again.

“In the first seven months of 2022, we have received more than 740,000 international tourists – an increase of 560 per cent compared to the same period in 2021 during the Covid-19 crisis,” he said during a training session for tourism experts on August 19 in Siem Reap province.

He continued that in the first seven months of 2022, Siem Reap had received more than 1.2 million domestic tourists – an increase of 890 per cent compared to the same period in 2021. Of that number, there were 1.1 million domestic tourists, an increase of 799 per cent, and more than 80,000 domestic foreign resident tourists, an increase of 1,352 per cent.

Thong Khon also said that while tourism was recovering, the ministry considered improving the quality of services and safety for tourists in the new normal.

He emphasised that the ministry had also continued to promote the attraction of both international and domestic tourists as part of its strategic direction in the second phase of the tourist recovery plan and to develop tourism during and after Covid-19 from 2020-2025.