Cambodia witnessed an unprecedented rise in tourist visits to various resorts and destinations in the four days of the Khmer New Year (KNY) holidays from April 13 to 16, according to a report from the Ministry of Tourism.
The report said of the total tourists, 110,320 were foreign tourists.
Coastal provinces Kep, Kampot, Preah Sihanouk, and Koh Kong received some 2.2 million, while cultural provinces Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap received 1.65 million tourists.
The northern provinces including Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Palin and Pursat recorded 3.54 million visits while Kampong Cham province alone received the most visitors 5.34 million.
Kampong Speu and Prey Veng provinces recorded 2.1 million and 2.29 million, respectively, read the report.
The ministry said in the report that the four-day Khmer New Year holiday allowed people to visit more resorts in provinces, resulting in a sharp rise in tourist footfalls.
The ministry’s Secretary of State and spokesman Top Sopheak noted that the number of domestic and international tourists during the holidays went beyond the ministry’s prediction and even surpassed the pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels.
The ministry concluded that the unprecedented number of visitors during the KNY was due to the organisation of a variety of entertainment events – Sankranta celebrations – in each province and also because of the peace prevailing in the country that allowed more people to travel nationwide, he said.
“This domestic tourist movement during the long holiday has created huge economic benefits to the country,” Sopheak told Khmer Times.
Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the increase in the number of domestic visitors helped the national economy as a whole.
“This holiday period played a big part in Cambodia’s tourism development,” she said.
“When people travel, they need services such as transportation, accommodation, food and other services, which help the tourism sector domestically,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Manet on Wednesday sent a message congratulating officials for the successful celebration of the Khmer New Year with joy, dignity, safety and national pride.
“The shade of peace has provided an opportunity for all Cambodians to live together with virtue and unity in the beloved land of Angkor and also in happiness, honour and dignity,” the Prime Minister said. (khmertiemskh)
