PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's tourism earned gross revenue of US$3.63 billion in 2024, up 17.8 per cent from $3.08 billion a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Tourism's report on Sunday.
The kingdom received 6.7 million international tourists last year, up 22.9 per cent from 5.45 million in the year before, the report said, adding that the top five market arrivals to the kingdom last year were Thailand, Vietnam, China, Laos and the United States.
The tourism sector contributed about 9.4 percent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, up from 7.5 per cent in the year before, the report added.
Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy.
The country has four world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province, the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in central Kampong Thom province, and the Temple of Preah Vihear and the Koh Ker archaeological site in northwest Preah Vihear province.
Besides, it has a pristine coastline stretching in the length of about 450km in four southwest provinces of Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.
Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, predicts a modest growth in tourist arrivals to Cambodia in 2025 due to the current geopolitical climate, political changes in the United States, and various crises impacting global travel.
"Without a concerted effort to restructure our tourism products and improve air connectivity, as well as an urgent need for effective destination marketing campaigns, I anticipate only modest growth for 2025," he told Xinhua.
"Cambodia has immense potential, but we must take proactive steps to attract visitors," he added. - Xinhua
