Cambodia, Malaysia achieve highest tourism recovery rates in Southeast Asia

By Hoang Phong March 11, 2024 | 11:48 pm PT

Foreign tourists walk in Nha Trang beach town, central Vietnam, January 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Bui Toan

Cambodia's tourism recovery rate in 2023 was the highest in Southeast Asia at 82.5% of pre-pandemic levels, followed by Malaysia at 77.2%, according to a report by travel research firm Outbox Consulting.

Indonesia came in third with a recovery rate of 71.7%, followed by Singapore (71.3%) and Thailand (70.4%).

Vietnam achieved its recovery rate of 70%, higher than the Philippines (66%), the report showed.

Malaysia last year became the tourism champion in the region with 29 million tourist arrivals, including nearly 9 million foreign excursionists who only made day trips.

Thailand was second with 28 million, followed by Singapore with 13.6 million and Vietnam with 12.6 million.

Thailand and Malaysia have waived visas for tourists from major economies like China and India since late last year.

With fierce regional competition, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries to consider expanding visa exemptions for citizens from certain countries in accordance with bilateral cooperation activities.