Cambodian arrivals see strong growth

More than half of Cambodia’s international tourists visit Angkor Wat (photo by Elzbieta Sekowska)Country welcomes 3.05 million visitors in first nine months of the year

Cambodia has seen a strong rise in tourist arrivals in 2013.

According to the latest data from the country’s Tourism Ministry, Cambodia welcomed 3.05 million international visitors in the first nine months of the year, 19% more than the same period in 2012.

Vietnam remains the country’s top source market, driven by the number of casinos situated across the border. 644,580 Vietnamese visited Cambodia in January-September 2013, up 11% year-on-year. Chinese arrivals surged 45% to 339,890, while visitor numbers from South Korea climbed 4% to 317,940.

The strongest growth however, came from Laos, which contributed 302,400 visitors – 71% more than the same period in 2012.

Angkor Wat remains the country’s top tourism destination, welcoming 1.57m international visitors in 2013, or 51% of total arrivals to the country.

Cambodia is on track to achieve its target of welcoming four million international tourists in 2013.