Tourists on a floating bridge at Angkor Wat in January 2023. Heng Chivoan
After having weathered over three consecutive challenging years, Cambodia’s tourism sector is forecasted by insiders to show improvement in 2024 compared to 2023, which saw nearly 5.5 million foreign arrivals.
Last year marked a considerable increase in international tourism for the country, rising 139.5% compared to 2022. Thailand was the leading contributor with 1.82 million visitors, an increase of 113.3%, followed by Vietnam with 1.02 million (up 119.8%), China with 550,000 (a boost of 412.6%) and Laos with 370,000 (up 302%).
Other prominent countries of origin included the US, South Korea, Indonesia, France, the UK and Malaysia.
Many factors aid ’24 tourism
Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), told The Post that the global economic context and internal dynamics would contribute to attract more foreign guests in 2024.
She explained that a key external factor positively influencing global tourism was diminishing concerns over the spread of Covid-19.
Internally, she said, the efforts and achievements of the government and private sector are focused on enhancing the country’s appeal to foreign travellers.
Sivlin highlighted crucial elements of the successes, including political stability, security, improved road infrastructure, expansion of direct flight connections with other countries, reopening of major tourism services, introduction of new government strategies to support and promote tourism, and the extensive and sophisticated use of digital systems.
“For 2024, I have high expectations that Cambodia’s tourism sector will grow higher than in 2023. The rise in tourists, especially foreign, will help Cambodia maintain the growth of household income and the national economy,” she stated.
According to Sivlin, the efforts of Prime Minister Hun Manet in discussing and promoting the potential of tourism with leaders of various countries and major international companies are becoming a significant driving force and magnet to attract more tourists and foreign investors.
Sar Sarin, business director of PTM Travel and Tours Co Ltd, noted that following the ease of the pandemic, tourist resorts, particularly those focused on ecotourism, are gaining considerable attention.
He said the surge in interest is due to the combined efforts of the government and private sector in promoting and enhancing ecotourism in recent years.
“It’s an opportunity for us to work together as it can provide comfort, safety and sanitation for [guests]. Also, Cambodia has many historical sites, natural landscapes, coastal areas and well-developed resorts,” he said.
Anheng Sokpheak, president of the Cambodia Chinese Tour Guide Association (CCTGA), noted that after the subsidence of Covid-19 concerns, the influx of international visitors significantly increased, with expectations for further growth in 2024.
“As tour operators, we are optimistic that Cambodia will receive an increasing number of visitors, especially from China. The year 2024 has been designated by the two governments as a year of cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he added.
Revenue up 115% in 2023
According to the ministry, international tourism generated approximately $3.04 billion for the economy in 2023, a substantial increase of 115% from $1.41 billion in 2022.
Khieu Thy, president of the Khmer Angkor Tourist Guide Association (KATGA), reflected on 2019, noting the important contribution of the sector to household incomes and the national economy, particularly in Siem Reap province just before the pandemic.
He emphasised that to attract more international guests, it is crucial for the government and private sector to continue their collaboration.
He said they should focus on ensuring safety, environmental care, sanitation, quality services and high-standard souvenirs for customers, adding that the creation of new resorts and the expansion of international flight connections is vitally important.
“As insiders in the industry, we indeed want foreign tourists to visit Cambodia. Increased numbers and longer stays will enable those working in the sector to earn more,” he stated.
In its efforts to draw more international arrivals, the government has been intensifying outreach to major destinations, particularly populous nations in the region like India and Indonesia.
On September 22, 2023, tourism minister Sok Soken met with Indian ambassador to Cambodia Devyani Khobragade, and on February 13 with Indonesian ambassador Santo Darmosumarto.
During the meetings, the minister appealed to his interlocutors to help encourage more people from their respective countries to visit Cambodia. He also proposed increasing direct flights to major tourist destinations.
According to worldometers.info, as of February 15, India was the most populous country globally, with a total population of 1.437 billion, surpassing China’s 1.425 billion. Indonesia was ranked fourth, with a population of 278.95 million.
Growth of direct flights
Sinn Chanserey Vutha, undersecretary of state at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), had previously told local media that the air transport sector in 2023 experienced a growth of 115% compared to 2022, with a monthly increase of around 10%.
He noted that, owing to the government’s efforts to promote and enhance cooperation with numerous countries and companies, he anticipates a continued upward trend in air passenger numbers this year.
“Overall, we are still making progress. In 2024, there may still be more growth. The tourism ministry, as well as the SSCA, have predicted that by the end of 2024, the number of travellers may return to the same level as in 2019,” he stated.
According to Chanserey Vutha, following the hiatus caused by the Covid-19 crisis, there are currently 34 airlines that have resumed flights with Cambodia, whereas in 2019, there were about 50 airlines operating flights.
The year 2019 marked a record in international visitors for the Kingdom, with 6.61 million, an increase of 6.6% from the year prior. Revenue from international tourism stood at $4.92 billion and contributed 12.1% to the gross domestic product (GDP), as per the ministry.
