PHNOM PENH (Xinhua-Khmer Times): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for more international tourists, saying that the country was not a base for kidnapping, online crime, or human trafficking.
In a speech during the closing ceremony of the Ministry of Tourism’s annual conference in Phnom Penh, Mr Hun Manet said the government was very cautious and had taken strict action against anyone who attempted to use Cambodia as a base for their underworld activities.
“We acknowledge that there are some problems, but we have taken tough action against them subsequently,” he said.
Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy, along with garment exports, agriculture, real estate, and construction.
Tourism Minister Huot Hak said the country received 6.7 million foreign visitors last year, a year-on-year increase of 23%.
“For 2025, we hope the number of international tourists to Cambodia will increase to between 7.2 million and 7.5 million,” he said.
Cambodia has four UNESCO-listed 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 about 450 km in the four southwest provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong. -- Xinhua-Khmer Times
