Tourism Revenue Up 20 Percent

The tourism sector earned $4.3 billion in revenue last year, an increase of around 20 percent, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism.

More than 6 million tourists visited Cambodia last year. KT/Chor Sokunthea Thong Khon, the Minister of Tourism, revealed the figure at this year’s National Clean City Day, an event held yesterday at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel in which the winners of the ‘green tourism’ and ‘best hospitality’ awards were announced. The minister also said that last year 6.2 million international travellers visited the Kingdom, a 10.7 percent year-on-year increase. “With political stability and strong economic growth, the tourism sector has been playing an important role in the country’s development, lifting up people’s livelihoods,” said Mr Khon. “The sector has been treated by the government as the ‘green gold’ that supports growth and the economy by creating jobs, and reducing poverty,” he added. Prime Minister Hun Sen, who presided over the event yesterday, called on the private sector, the authorities and the general public to work together to promote the government’s Clean City campaign and ensure its success. He said cleaner and safer cities will lure even more foreign tourists into the country. According to Minister Khon, Cambodia expects to welcome 6.7 million foreign tourists this year. By 2020, 7 million international travellers will visit the Kingdom every year, generating more than $5 billion in revenue and 1 million jobs, he said. “To prepare for this increase in tourists, we must have a clear strategy in place for the development of the tourism sector. This strategy must address ways to transform the country into an attractive and comfortable destination through digital technologies and green initiatives,” he said. This article was originally published in the Khmer Times.