[Text/Observer Network Wang Yong Editing/Zhao Qiankun]
According to a report released by Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism in the first two months of 2025, Cambodia received 1.26 million international tourists. Among them, Chinese tourists accounted for 14.6% of the total number of inbound visitors, an increase of 67.6% year-on-year, ranking third among Cambodia's sources of international tourists.
Comprehensive reports from media outlets such as the Khmer Times and the Phnom Penh Post indicate that according to statistics from Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia received 6.7 million foreign tourists in 2024, an increase of approximately 23% year-on-year, generating revenue of $3.63 billion and contributing 9.4% to Cambodia's GDP. At the same time, tourism created 510,000 direct job opportunities in Cambodia.
Tourists visiting Angkor Wat, The Phnom Penh Post
Ho Huo, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia, stated, "Cambodia has abundant natural attractions, ecotourism areas, as well as cultural and heritage tourism resources, providing a wide range of rich travel opportunities for tourists. Thanks to the close relationship between Cambodia and China, we believe that future Cambodia will attract a large number of Chinese tourists eager to explore our country."
The report mentioned that in the first two months of this year, nearly 190,000 Chinese tourists visited Cambodia, showing significant growth compared to the same period last year. Ho Huo said, "2025 has been officially designated as the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year,' and we will welcome more and more Chinese guests and provide them with a good tourism environment and infrastructure facilities."
Ho Huo emphasized that Cambodia is a safe tourist destination, and the Cambodian people will warmly welcome Chinese friends. "The Cambodian government attaches great importance to ensuring the safety of tourists and is fully prepared to welcome tourists from all over China to further deepen the friendship between the peoples of Cambodia and China."
Ho Huo described the relationship between Cambodia and China as "ironclad friends" and "comprehensive strategic partners," pointing out that cooperation in the tourism sector will further promote the establishment of a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
On April 7th, at the "New Situation下的Cambodia-China Relations" forum hosted by the Cambodia-China Journalist Association, Heng Dany, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, stated that under the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership between Cambodia and China, tourism has become an important pillar of cooperation between the two countries. Heng Dany said, "China, as the largest tourism market in the world, has long been Cambodia's most important source of tourists. By regularly holding tourism forums, promotional events, and cultural exchange activities, we have established an efficient tourism cooperation mechanism. We will take advantage of the 2025 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year' to further optimize tourism services and strive to exceed pre-pandemic levels as soon as possible."
Heng Dany stated that the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia will introduce a series of measures, including promoting diversified tourism products to attract more Chinese tourists. Through close cooperation between the two countries and Cambodia's rich tourism resources, Cambodia expects to attract more than 1 million Chinese tourists in 2025.
The aforementioned media reports mentioned that as a world-renowned tourist destination, Angkor Wat welcomed nearly 400,000 foreign tourists in the first quarter of this year, generating nearly $19 million in revenue, an increase of more than 13% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
In addition, Cambodia also boasts the "world's most beautiful coastline," Southeast Asia's largest mangrove forest, the magnificent Mekong River landscape, and the diverse biodiversity of Tonle Sap Lake, allowing tourists to experience Cambodia's rich cultural traditions, customs, and local cuisine while sightseeing.
The report noted that the future of Cambodia's tourism industry is closely linked to the growth of Chinese tourists and the influx of investors. The growth of Chinese tourists has not only greatly promoted the development of Cambodia's tourism industry but has also created new investment opportunities in other local sectors. In 2024, nearly 3,000 Chinese companies registered with Cambodia's Ministry of Commerce, an increase of 20.65% compared to 2023. This growth is attributed to high-level bilateral discussions between the two governments.
The Cambodia-China Business Association stated that the strong friendship between the two governments plays a crucial role in attracting Chinese tourists and investors. Chinese companies investing in Cambodia are involved in almost all industries, including construction, real estate, tourism, agriculture, industry, energy, etc. It is expected that this trend of tourism and investment growth will continue in the coming years.
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Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491250891975229992/
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