Preah Sihanouk province emerged as a prime destination during the Lunar New Year celebrations, drawing an impressive 294,301 visitors, including 11,905 from abroad, which represents 28 percent of the total tourist influx for the period spanning February 09-11. This surge in visitation was highlighted in a recent report by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), which documented a nationwide total of 1,051,472 tourists, with international guests making up 57,481 or about 5.5 percent of the total during the festivities.
Preah Sihanouk led the chart as the most favored location, enticing 282,396 local and 11,905 international tourists, accounting for 27.9 percent of the overall figures. This was closely followed by the Siem Reap province, known for its rich heritage, which attracted approximately 99,600 local and 18,077 international visitors, marking an 11.2 percent contribution to the national count and an 11.56 percent increase from the previous year’s New Year celebrations.
Battambang, often referred to as the country’s ‘rice-bowl’, secured the third spot with 88,572 local and 874 international visitors. The fourth position was held by Pailin, bordering Thailand, which welcomed 79,720 tourists, predominantly domestic. Meanwhile, Kep province saw 73,145 visitors, experiencing an 8.36 percent rise compared to the previous year, despite a 22.12 percent decline in international tourists.
Angkol Beach resort, a new and rapidly growing attraction, and the iconic Kep Beach were among the top choices for visitors in Kep, as shared by Som Chenda, Director of Kep Provincial Department of Tourism.
Kampot province, celebrated for its high-quality pepper and durian, also reported significant visitor numbers during the Lunar New Year, with over 64,528 tourists, including 62,905 domestic and 1,623 international guests. Popular spots included Daung Te Resort in Snam Prampir village and Preah Monivong Bokor National Park, according to Soy Sinol, Director of Kampot Provincial Department of Tourism.
The influx of tourists to these destinations during the Lunar New Year underscores Cambodia’s growing appeal as a diverse and culturally rich travel destination, offering a range of experiences from heritage sites to natural beauty and culinary delights.
Source: Khmer Times
