Nearly five million international tourists visited Cambodia in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 22.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism. From January to September, the country welcomed 4.8 million international guests, equivalent to 99.7% of the arrivals during the same interval in 2019—a record year for international tourism in Cambodia.

Top Sopheak, secretary of state and spokesperson for the ministry, attributed the growth to political stability, domestic security, and a diverse range of tourist attractions, including cultural, historical, and natural sites. He expressed optimism that Cambodia could receive around six million international tourists by the end of 2024 and return to pre-pandemic numbers by 2025. The increase in international visitors has also boosted ticket sales for the Angkor Archaeological Park, with nearly 700,000 tickets sold—a 29.7% year-on-year rise—generating $32.52 million in revenue.

Additionally, approximately 1.36 million Cambodians traveled abroad for leisure during this period, marking a 3.2% increase. While international tourist numbers are climbing, industry representatives note that they have not yet fully returned to 2019 levels, especially in popular destinations like Siem Reap province. However, there is optimism that the high season will bring continued growth, with more visitors from Europe and the United States.

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