Phnom Penh, Aug 21 : Cambodia has attracted more than 740,000 international tourists in the first seven months of 2022 which is which is an increase of 560 percent when in comparison to the same timeframe in 2021 according to the Tourism Ministry said in a statement. Tourism Minister Thong Khon said on Saturday that the opening of every socio-economic activity has led to a boost in development at several major tourist destinations in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the cultural province of Siem Reap and the coastal province of Preah Sihanouk.
“In the first seven months of 2022, we’ve attracted more than 740,000 foreign tourists, which is up 560 percent compared to the same timeframe in 2021, during the crisis of Covid-19.” he added.
In the months of January to July this year, neighboring Vietnam came top of the list of international tourist visits to the nation and was being followed by Thailand as well as China, Xinhua news agency reported.
Cambodia hopes to draw minimum 1 million foreign visitors in 2022, which is more than the 200,000 visitors in 2021, Khon said, adding that the number could reach 2 million in 2023 and then reach the pre-Covid-19 levels in 2026 or 2027.
In the pre-pandemic years the kingdom received 6.6 million tourists from abroad in 2019 and generated 4.92 billion U.S.dollars in revenue according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Tourism is just one of four pillars that support the growth of the economy in the Southeast Asian nation.
The kingdom is well-known for three World Heritage sites, which include the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province and the Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province as well as the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological site in Kampong Thom province.
Additionally, it boasts an unspoiled coastline that spans 450 kilometers across four provinces of the southwest.
int/khz/
.
