Cambodia’s tourism push has received another shot in the arm with a leading online travel platform Agoda declaring Phnom Penh the most affordable destination in Asia for New Year celebrations.
This comes soon after prestigious travel guide Fodor’s named the Kingdom’s Koh Ker Temple complex in its ‘Twenty-five places to go in 2025’ – the only destination in Southeast Asia to make the list.
In Agoda’s ranking, released on New Year’s Day, Phnom Penh was followed by Hanoi and Jakarta.
“These destinations offer great value and fantastic celebrations, even if they are not the first places that come to mind for a New Year’s getaway,” said the Asia-focused platform’s Country Director for Vietnam and Indochina, Lam Vu.
“While cities like Tokyo and Bangkok remained popular for New Year’s Eve, this data shows that the best ‘bang for your buck’ can be found in cities like Phnom Penh and Hanoi.
“Phnom Penh, a city known for its rich cultural heritage and history, offered a lively New Year’s Eve celebration, with street parties, music, and a spectacular fireworks display along the riverside.”
Phnom Penh’s New Year’s Eve fireworks and riverside celebrations attracted more than 1.5 million tourists, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT) said on Wednesday.
“It was amazing!” said Trudie Murphy, a 36-year-old tourist from Aldershot in the UK, who was among the riverside crowd to see in the New Year.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” she told Khmer Times yesterday, sipping a cappuccino with her husband, Kevin at Sisowath Quay.
“We only arrived (in Cambodia) a couple of days before New Year, and this was a spectacular start for our two weeks here.
“This is our first visit to Asia. If we come back, Cambodia will be at top of our list.”
Agoda based its rankings on the average prices of rooms booked on the site, but did not reveal the number of bookings.
The average room rate in Phnom Penh on New Year’s Eve was $67, followed by Hanoi at $79 and Jakarta at $97.
But the Indonesian capital scored the cheapest room rate on Agoda in Asia that night at $2.45.
Agoda’s Lam said Phnom Penh boasted a unique blend of history, culture and all-round experience.
“The city’s landmarks, such as the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom, offer an incredible backdrop for travellers seeking to experience a unique celebration without straining their budget,” he said.
The latest international plaudit for Cambodia comes after Fodor’s Travel in November listed Koh Ker Temple, near Siem Reap, among its ‘25 Places to go in 2025’.
“Keen to avoid the selfie stick-wielding tourists flocking to Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples?” asked Fodor’s.
“Consider Koh Ker, a sprawling archaeological site that provides a fascinating insight into lesser-known aspects of the Khmer empire.”
Koh Ker topped the three Asian destinations on the list. The others were Meghalaya in India and Nikko in Japan.
In July, TripAdvisor included four Cambodian sites in its Asia Top 25 – including Angkor Wat as number one in the world.
In the Asia list, Ta Prohm Temple was 19th place, Bayon Temple 20th and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh 22nd.
Cambodia’s attraction extends beyond the budget traveller.
In September, The Times, London, ranked Cambodia 13th in its list of ‘23 of the world’s best luxury destinations’.
“Typically, Cambodia’s been known for its backpacker digs, not its luxury scene,” The Times said.
“But new resorts are changing that.”
Cambodia received about 6.7 million foreign tourists in 2024, according to preliminary estimates from the MoT.
The Kingdom this week cut the price of online tourist visas by more than 15 percent, to $30 from $36, to help drive more inbound traffic.
“The goal is to promote Cambodian tourism across all destinations in the tourism market,” MoT spokesperson Tob Sopheak told Khmer Times on Sunday.
“The government consistently prioritizes the promotion of the tourism sector, and the e-Visas discount is intended to facilitate travel for tourists.”
Agoda, which does not make public the number of bookings it handles each year, said its New Year affordability survey highlighted the demand for budget travel.
“The rankings of these cities underscore the growing trend of budget-conscious travelers seeking destinations that offer great value without compromising on the festive experience,” Lam said.
“Cities like Phnom Penh … show that affordability and unforgettable experiences can go hand in hand.”
