Thailand beats China to become Cambodia's largest source of visitors

By Hoang Vu July 24, 2024 | 03:00 am PT

Visitors to the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province of Cambodia. Photo by AFP

Cambodia welcomed 955,000 tourists from Thailand during the first six months of this year, making it the biggest source of visitors for the country.

China, which was the main source of visitors for Cambodia before the pandemic, is now pushed to the third position with 389,360 arrivals after Vietnam (640,000), according the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism.

The number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia during the period increased by 45% year-on-year and the kingdom is seeking to attract more tourists from China.

"We are eager to see more Chinese tourists as their presence has contributed to our economic growth and tourism development," the ministry's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Top Sopheak told Xinhua news agency.

Cambodia received 3.16 million international tourists between January and June, up nearly 23% year-on-year.

The number of foreign tourists to Cambodia remains modest compared to other countries in the region.

Thailand received 17.5 million foreign arrivals in the first half while Vietnam welcomed 8.8 million and Singapore 8.24 million.