Tourists visit the historical Wat Phnom in the capital on December 25. Heng Chivoan
As the year-end holiday celebration approaches, tourism officials expect that the number of domestic travellers in the country’s resort areas and abroad by the end of 2023 will significantly increase compared to the post-pandemic year of 2022, as some hotels and guesthouses in high travel areas are already fully booked.
After the containment of Covid-19, which had lingering effects on global tourism for over three years, the number of Cambodians traveling has steadily increased, especially for domestic tours.
Sar Sarin, founder and CEO of Tovtrip, a Phnom Penh-based excursion planning website and app, told The Post on December 28 that he has observed a significant increase in the number of Cambodians booking trips to various domestic resorts and destinations abroad between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024.
Sarin, who is also vice-president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), estimated that the number of people visiting local resorts would be substantial, and that individuals and families booking tickets to international destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, have also experienced a surge compared to last year’s season.
“I think the number of Cambodian tourists who go to local resorts and travel abroad on New Year’s Day will more than double compared to last year,” he said.
To promote domestic travel and attract more foreign guests, Sarin called on the government to provide more support to the private sector in areas such as taxation, promotion and human resources training.
“On behalf of the private sector, we genuinely desire the government to provide further assistance to the domestic tourism sector, including tax exemptions, subsidies or promotions.
“This is because when domestic tourism thrives, it has a favourable impact on encouraging more foreigners to visit Cambodia,” he said.
Sin Chansopheap, owner of Chomkatae Bungalows in Mondulkiri provincial town Sen Monorom, said that all her 15 rooms have already been reserved.
She noted that the booking pace is faster and the influx of visitors even greater compared to the same period last year, especially during the traditional busy end-of-year and beginning-of-year period in the resort areas of Mondulkiri and neighbouring Ratanakkiri province.
She attributed the increased numbers to the cool weather in the northeastern provinces and improved travel infrastructure and services.
“My bungalow has been fully booked for New Year’s Eve since last week and the remaining accommodations here are almost gone. I expect the number of tourists visiting Mondulkiri on New Year’s Eve to be higher than in previous years,” she said.
In terms of accommodation prices, they have nearly doubled, she said, with a $20 room on a typical day now costing more than $35.
“The price increase is because most of the guests who visit during the New Year or other festivals come as large families, and some workers also receive extra pay for working on holidays,” Chansopheap explained.
Soy Sinol, director of the Kampot provincial Department of Tourism, said the number of visitors to the coastal province this year is on the rise.
He noted that the province currently offers more than 5000 rental spaces, including bungalows and hotel and guesthouse rooms.
According to Sinol, as of the morning of December 28, more than 90 per cent of bungalows and 70 per cent of the other rooms had been fully booked.
He noted that the provincial administration will organise events for holiday revellers, such as concerts, fireworks and exhibitions.
“Certainly, the number of tourists visiting Kampot and other destinations in the country will be high this year, especially since the year-end falls on a weekend,” he said.
Former tourism minister Thong Khon previously stated in June that the country expected to welcome approximately 16 million domestic travellers throughout 2023, in line with the minitry’s roadmap.
He highlighted that 2023 is a special year for the country, as it hosted the 32nd SEA Games, after a wait of 64 years, and also the 12th ASEAN Para Games, which concluded successfully, marking a historic period for the nation.
According to the ministry, between January and November 2023, the Kingdom received a total of nearly 4.92 million foreign visitors, reflecting a 156.9% increase compared to the same period in 2022 which saw 1.91 million.
