Siem Reap’s Visitor Count Up On The Back Of Domestic Tourism Surge

Tourist visits to the province of Siem Reap increased slightly during the first half of the year, due primarily to a surge in the number of domestic tourists traveling to the area. 

Total tourist arrivals to the province during the first six months of 2016 reached 3.1 million, a three percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Ngouv Sengkat, the director of the province's tourist department. Two-thirds of the visits belonged to domestic tourists, with people from all over the country traveling to Siem Reap province between January and June, a 3.4 percent more than during the same period a year prior. Boosting the domestic tourist market was the popular Angkor Sangkran festival, which brought over 1.3 million Cambodian visitors to Siem Reap in April, 30 percent more than last year's event. 

Ho Vandy, Secretary-General of Cambodia's National Tourism Alliance, said Siem Reap has seen a pronounced improvement in accommodation options and amenities in recent years. “Most Cambodian visitors like to spend time there on their holiday, and particularly enjoy the natural setting where they can relax with their family,” he said. However, only 1.1 million international tourists—almost two-thirds from ASEAN and Asia-Pacific countries—were reported during said period, which accounts for a one percent year-on-year decrease. 

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