The future of Cambodia's tourism industry is closely linked to the steady inflow of Chinese tourists and investors, as highlighted by Cambodian officials in Siem Reap on Thursday.
Prak Phannara, Secretary of State for the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, emphasized the country's readiness to welcome Chinese tourists and investors back after the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
\"The growth of Chinese tourists is an important opportunity, not only to boost the development of the tourism industry, but also to create investment opportunities in different sectors,\" Phannara stated at the Cambodia-China Tourism Forum 2024 in Siem Reap.
\"Cambodia and countries around the world have considered China as a strategic partner and the most important source of market for their economic growth and national development,\" he added.
Tourism currently contributes nearly 13 percent to Cambodia's gross domestic product (GDP), generating numerous direct and indirect jobs for locals.
Phannara highlighted that in the first seven months of 2024, Cambodia welcomed 3.75 million international tourists, marking a 23.2 percent increase. Among these, approximately 460,000 were Chinese tourists, reflecting a 45.7 percent rise.
\"China used to be the biggest source of international tourists to Cambodia in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic era,\" he noted, adding that the kingdom received 2.36 million Chinese tourists in 2019, accounting for 35.7 percent of total international tourist arrivals.
Reference(s):
Cambodia's tourism inseparable from Chinese tourists: officials
cgtn.com
