Cambodia gets travel boost

With Cambodia having been accorded an award for being the best cultural and heritage tourist destination at last week's World Travel Fair in Shanghai, the country's tourism authorities expect the sector, which saw tourist arrivals drop in 2014, to get a boost this year, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

The award was based on such criteria as clean and green environment, good security for tourist, food and hospitality services — among others.  The fair was participated by 50 countries showcasing their tourism sites and products to attrace Chinese tourists.

Tith Chantha, secretary of state at the Ministry of tourism, said the award would hopefully draw more tourists – especially Chinese – to Cambodia.

He said Chinese tourists have increased around 20 per cent every year, compared to other tourist arrivals.

Data from the Ministry of Tourism showed that 560,335 Chinese tourists arrived in the country last year, an increase of more than 21 per cent compared with 2013 and second only to Vietnamese travellers.

Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodia Agent of Travel Agents, said the award will not only to attract Chinese tourists into the Kingdom but also to promote Cambodia to other potential markets.

He added that spending by Chinese tourist is now more when compared to other foreign tourists to Cambodia.

The award comes on the heels of Siem Reap province, home to the Angkor Wat complex, being ranked No.2 among the world’s top 25 tourist destinations and No 1 in Asia by TripAdvisor, an online travel site.