The Cambodian capital welcomed an unprecedented surge of tourists during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, with a staggering 1,573,479 visitors recorded over December 30-31, 2024. 

The milestone came as the capital hosted the highly anticipated “Celebrating Cambodia” event, a cultural extravaganza that drew tens of thousands to the heart of the city.

Phnom Penh’s record-breaking numbers were fueled by the success of the event, which featured multi-art parades, traditional performances, live concerts and a breathtaking fireworks display in front of Royal Palace. 

The event not only celebrated the New Year but also served as a showcase of Cambodian culture, boosting the capital’s reputation as a dynamic and modern tourist hub.

Prime Minister Hun Manet revealed that a total of 3,535,325 tourists – including 3,444,065 domestic and 47,260 international guests – traveled across Cambodia during the festivities.

“The ‘Celebrating Cambodia’ event took place in a happy atmosphere, leaving behind smiles and a gathering of congratulatory messages shared by the large Khmer family,” said Hun Many, president of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC).

“Celebrating Cambodia” was held on December 31, 2024 in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh. STPM/Tourism ministry

The lively event attracted a large number of visitors and encouragement from domestic and international visitors, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

While Phnom Penh led the pack, other provinces also reported significant numbers of visitors. Preah Sihanouk province drew 422,829 tourists to its picturesque beaches, while Siem Reap and its iconic Angkor temples welcomed 333,660 guests. 

Battambang, known for its rich culinary heritage, attracted 324,760 tourists, while Kampot hosted 227,976.

Prey Veng and Kratie, however, saw minimal tourism, with just 2,000 visitors combined. This stark contrast highlights opportunities for developing underexplored regions as viable tourist destinations.

The influx of over 3.5 million tourists during the New Year is expected to provide a substantial economic boost, benefiting local businesses, particularly hotels and restaurants. 

With a strong domestic turnout, international tourism remains a growth opportunity. With 47,260 foreign visitors, the Ministry of Tourism is enhancing global promotion campaigns.

Cambodia has embarked on a series of ambitious initiatives to bolster its appeal as a global tourist destination, setting the goal of welcoming five million international visitors by the end of 2024, a feat it achieved. 

Central to this effort is the “BUILD plus 3Ds” strategy, which encompasses the “Five-Build” framework to enhance the nation’s international profile, participate in global tourism events and diversify offerings such as eco-tourism, cultural experiences and local cuisine. 

Complementing this is the “Three-Develops” approach, which focuses on strengthening human resources, digital infrastructure and legal frameworks to support sustainable tourism growth. 

Simultaneously, the Visit Siem Reap 2024 campaign is positioning the province as a premier tourist hub by leveraging its historical and cultural treasures, particularly the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, through various events and promotional activities.

Significant investments in infrastructure and direct flights are also underway to improve accessibility and visitor experience. 

Recognising the diversity of its visitor base, Cambodia has also targeted the Muslim tourist market with dedicated initiatives such as establishing halal food outlets and fostering partnerships with Islamic countries. 

Angkor Enterprises, which manages ticket sales at the Angkor Archaeological Park and several other locations, reported impressive statistics for December 2024 and the entire year, showcasing the Angkor region’s vital contribution to Cambodia’s tourism success.

In December 2024, 125,349 foreign tourists purchased tickets to visit Angkor Wat, reflecting a 27.81% increase compared to the previous year.

“Ticket sales generated $5,918,148, a 27.21% rise from the previous year,” reported Angkor Enterprises.

“Additionally, contributions to the Kantha Bopha Cambodia Foundation for the month totaled $250,698, supporting critical healthcare initiatives,” it added.

Over the full year of 2024, Angkor Wat welcomed 1,023,644 foreign tourists, marking a 28.27% increase from 2023. 

Total revenue for the year reached an impressive $47,826,981, with $2,047,376 allocated to the Kantha Bopha Foundation.

At Koh Ker Temple, ticket sales in December 2024 amounted to $50,310 from 3,354 visitors, while the total revenue for the year reached $329,025 from 21,935 visitors.

Meanwhile, Chong Kneas Port recorded $94,344 in boat ticket revenue in December 2024, with 3,203 boats (2,104 small, 951 medium, and 148 large) accommodating tourists. 

Annual revenue from boat ticket sales totaled $794,348, with 28,871 boats serving visitors throughout the year.