In the first quarter of this year, 570,000 Thais came to Cambodia by land and air, 285,000 from Vietnam and then 184,000 from China, according to Pattaya Mail (Thailand) on June 17, citing data from the Cambodian tourism agency.
The total number of tourists from all countries entering Cambodia was 1.72 million, six times higher than the same period in 2022.
Despite regular flights from China, the number of tourists to Cambodia has not recovered to pre-Covid-19 levels.
Observers say there are a number of reasons why the number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia has not increased significantly, including the rising price of foreign package holidays, especially airfares, and delays in issuing new five-year passports, after many expired during the Covid-19 period.
A group of Chinese tourists at Cambodia's Phnom Penh airport
Pattaya Mail Screenshot
Cambodia’s tourism minister Thong Khon said more flights from China are expected. Cambodia aims to have at least 4 million international visitors by the end of 2023.
Cambodian officials are hoping the kingdom's popularity will increase after two new airports come into operation, one 50km from Siem Reap city, expected to welcome visitors from October 2023, and another 20km from Phnom Penh, due to be completed by the end of 2024. The two expanded airports will be able to accommodate large aircraft from destinations around the world , according to Pattaya Mail .
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