APD | Nearly 5 million People Travel in Khmer Holiday

By APD writer Yuth Ratha

For the three-day of Khmer New Year welcomed some 4.7 million local tourists visit the country nationwide—big increase of 67 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to the official figures from Ministry of Tourism stated that 4.6 million were Cambodian tourists, 66 percent increase and other 83,000, or 98 percent increase are foreign tourists visiting to tourism destinations nationwide.

Battambang province received the most of number of tourists during the period, at 870,034 tourists, while Svay Rieng and Siem Reap provinces received 467,505 tourists and 386,661 tourists respectively, the report stated.

Coastal areas composed of four provinces –Preah Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong –saw the number of tourists flat, the report went on.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon valued the increase of people travelling in KNY was supported by income of Cambodian people, and the preparation of events in each destinations and each province to attract tourists.

“Beside touring to tourism destinations, tourists were enjoying at Sangkranta events established in each province, so we saw number of tourists increased compared to last year’s Khmer New Year holiday,” Mr Khon said. “What is important is Cambodian people’s income which push them to travel as tourists during the holiday.”

“I am appreciated local authorities to organize the attract events like water pouring zones to attract tourists,” Mr Khon said in a post in Tourism Ministry’s Facebook Page.

“With successful in preparing to receive tourists, I hope next year, not only number of Cambodian tourists, but foreign tourists will be expectedly increasing in the Khmer New Year holiday.”

The Khmer New Year this year falls on from April 14 to 16 and it is one of the country’s long holiday over the year.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)