Cambodia’s Tourism Rebounds to Near Pre-Crisis Levels, But Chinese Arrivals Lag Behind Regional Peers

• 28 October 2024
• Local News
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Cambodia’s tourism sector is witnessing a robust rebound in 2024, with international arrivals reaching 4.4 million in the first eight months, a 22.5% surge compared to the same period last year. This strong performance brings the country within 1.6% of its pre-crisis peak of 6.9 million visitors in 2019, highlighting the sector’s steady recovery after the sharp decline to just 200,000 tourists in 2021. Following an upturn in 2022 with 2.3 million arrivals, the number climbed to 5.4 million in 2023, demonstrating a promising trajectory for tourism in the country, as reported by CBRE Cambodia on 17 October 2024.

Tourism Update: Regional Visitors Driving Growth

As of mid-October 2024, Cambodia has welcomed over 4 million international tourists, with regional visitors playing a significant role in the recovery. Thai tourists account for 35% of the total arrivals, followed by Vietnam at 20% and China at 14%. Visitors from South Korea and Laos each makeup around 3%, emphasising the country’s appeal within neighbouring markets and the strategic advantage of its regional proximity. Despite these gains, the latest data lacks comprehensive insights into the volume of tourists from Europe and other parts of Asia.

Comparing Cambodia’s Market with Regional Counterparts

Cambodia’s tourism revival is heavily driven by nearby markets, resulting in a more concentrated visitor base than its regional neighbours. In contrast, Vietnam attracts a geographically diverse mix of tourists, with South Korea leading at 27%, China at 21%, and the United States at 8%, followed by Taiwan (5%) and Japan (4%).

Thailand, on the other hand, continues to dominate as a key destination for Chinese tourists, who comprise 43% of its international arrivals. In comparison, Vietnamese visitors account for 11%, India 9%, and Taiwanese and Korean tourists represent 5%.

Opportunities for Diversification and Strategic Growth

The significant geographic diversity in Vietnam and Thailand’s visitor profiles offers valuable lessons for Cambodia’s tourism strategy. While the recent 22.5% growth rate signals a positive outlook for the sector, broadening the appeal to include more distant markets could further strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global tourism landscape. Cambodia’s regional focus has served as a stabilising factor, but expanding its tourism sources will be crucial for sustaining growth amid increasing competition.

Ensuring Sustainable Tourism Growth

Cambodia’s path forward involves capitalising on its strong regional integration while also pursuing diversification strategies to attract tourists from outside Southeast Asia. Although the country may face challenges in matching Thailand’s large volume of Chinese tourists, enhancing its appeal and targeting new markets can provide a more balanced and resilient foundation for long-term growth. Maintaining the current momentum while seeking to diversify will preserve Cambodia’s position in the dynamic international tourism arena.

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