Cambodia

On 10 Sep, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction officially registered 2 natural heritage sites as state land, namely Kiri Yong and Phnom Teak Traing. Both sites are managed by the Ministry of Environment (MoE) under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as per the Law on the Management, Use, and Management of State Property

The Cambodian Ministry of Tourism and Visa Worldwide Pte Limited have signed an MoU on sharing tourism data, insights, marketing support, education, capacity building, and digital transformation, with an emphasis on digital payments in tourism

The Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that a census will be conducted to identify free-roaming monkeys in the Angkor Archaeological Park, with the goal to either relocate them or place them on legal breeding farms. The Siem Reap Deputy Governor and spokesman for the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said that wild monkeys can bite tourists, and damage temple materials

The Governor of Battambang met with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Cambodia on 10 Sep to discuss attracting Pakistani investors to collaborate with the provincial administration of the city, particularly in tourism and the rice sector. According to the Governor of Battambang, the city produces around 750,000 tonnes of rice annually, however, investment in industry and agro-processing is limited

From Jan-Jul 2024, Cambodia welcomed 3.75 million international tourists, +23.2% YoY. Of these, 460,000 were Chinese tourists, +45.7% YoY. On 8 Sep, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia and Siem Reap Governor held discussions about Cambodia-China relations and cooperation, focusing on boosting tourism and investment. From Sep-Dec 2024, a photo exhibition, organised by the China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Chinese Embassy will be held in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Dunhuang, and Qingdao

On 5 and 6 Sep, the Department of Tourism Development and Culture hosted a 2-day hospitality capacity-building workshop for 80 participants, including public order officers and tourism representatives from the Angkor site

On 5 Sep, the Senate President expressed support to establish direct flights between Kazakhstan and Cambodia, and visa exemptions for diplomatic, official passport holders, health cooperation, and trade promotion. He also requested Kazakhstan’s support for Cambodia’s bid to become an official observer of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

From 24-30 Sep, the Ministry of Tourism will attend the Tourism EXPO Japan 2024 in Tokyo to attract Japanese tourists, investors to Cambodia, and encourage tourism units to develop special tour services for the Japanese market

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) signed 2 MoUs with Canadia Bank Plc and ACLEDA Bank Plc to facilitate electronic payment and online process for visa fees, immigration permits, quarantine confirmations, and customs forms for international passengers under the e-Arrival scheme. The initiative is part of the Pentagonal Strategy Phase-One to improve public services

According to a report by the Tourism Statistics Department, Cambodia welcomed 575,733 international tourists in Jul 2024, +25.9% YoY. Among these, Thailand comprised 33.4% of arrivals, +22.2% YoY, Vietnam accounted for 20.5% of arrivals, +34.5% YoY, and China with 13.0% of arrivals, +48.1% YoY. Land crossings, +25% YoY, accounted for 65.6% of all international arrivals, particularly from Thailand and Vietnam. Domestic travel increased by 10.4%, however, Preah Sihanouk saw a 36.7% decline YoY in visitors

The Kratie Provincial Department of Tourism has introduced a 2D1N package tour to showcase Kratie's tourism sites, including visits to Ro Kar Kandal pagoda, the 100-pillar house, Koh Trung community, and a sunset view over the Mekong River. An official at the Kratie tourism department said that the department is preparing for the upcoming Pchum Ben festival and has seen an increase in foreign tourists

Cambodia is updating its Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan 2025-2029 by adding 3 new initiatives related to gender, environment, and anti-personnel mines, as part of Cambodia's commitment to the Ottawa Convention. The Siem Reap-Angkor Summit is scheduled for 25-29 Nov 2024 in Siem Reap, in which the Siem Reap-Angkor Action Plan will be officially approved, including 9 chapters and 45 activities

From Jan-Aug 2024, Siem Reap welcomed over 650,000 international tourists, +31% YoY. The Siem Reap Provincial Administration is collaborating across sectors to improve tourism services and create new tourism products, aiming to elevate the Angkor area as a premier destination. The Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Province said that plans are in place to designate the Siem Reap River and Wat Reach Bo area as new recreational zones

From Jan-Aug 2024, the Angkor Archaeological Park generated $30.33 million USD in ticket sales, +31.3% YoY. According to Angkor Enterprise, 651,857 foreign tourists visited the site during the period, +30.7% YoY, with the U.S. leading the number of international visitors, followed by Britain, France, South Korea, and China. In Aug 2024, the park welcomed 67,482 foreign tourists, generating $3.15 million USD in revenue, +14% YoY

On 2 Sep, Cambodia's APSARA National Authority (ANA) advised tourists, transportation providers, and the general public to be cautious when visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park because of severe weather conditions. According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, the current rain, thunder, lightning, and strong winds in Cambodia can potentially lead to landslides and damage to trees within Angkor Archaeological Park

On 2 Sep, at a seminar on “Royal Government’s Incentive Programs for Tour Guides” in Siem Reap, the Minister of Tourism praised tour guides for promoting Cambodia, especially through social media, enhancing the country's reputation to the international market. Cambodia currently has over 5,379 tour guides in 12 different languages in Siem Reap, however, there is a shortage of tour guides speaking French, Spanish, and Russian

The government announced that Cambodia will have 22 official public holidays in 2025, 1 day fewer than in 2024. According to a sub-decree signed by the Prime Minister on 29 Aug, Khmer Traditional New Year will be celebrated over 3 days, from 14-16 Apr, down from 4 days. The president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation said that Cambodian workers often have a 48-hour workweek, which is longer compared to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia despite a similar number of public holidays

31 Aug: According to a Cambodian tourism ministry official, in H1 2024, Cambodia welcomed around 32,000-33,000 Indian tourists, +17% YoY. He said that country aims to increase the number of Indian tourists by 3-4 times in 2024 given the current tourism promotion initiatives that Cambodia is implementing, including digital campaigns and influencer-generated content

A Cambodian delegation attended the Business, Leisure, Travel and MICE Tourism Exhibition 2024 (BLTM 2024) in New Delhi. The event attracted over 600 buyers, more than 500 sellers from 20+ countries, and over 10,000 visitors, aiming to promote the "1st Cambodia and India Tourism Year 2024" campaign, and improve Cambodia’s tourism potential

2 Cambodian hospitality companies, Six Senses Krabey Island and Solo Landscapes, were honoured at the "Responsible Tourism Awards South East Asia 2024” for its increasing local sourcing, marking the first time Cambodian tourism vendors were titled as winners in the event. The former won the Gold award, while the latter won the Silver award

In mid-Jun 2024, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) completed the restoration of the eastern shrine of Neak Poan Temple, which took nearly 2 months. An architect of ANA said that starting Aug, the northern shrine is being reinforced due to identified risks from deterioration. Further restoration efforts are planned for the western side of the temple to maintain the integrity of the structure and its stairways

According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, connecting Phnom Penh’s Night Market in Daun Penh district to Lovea Em in Kandal province, is set to start construction around Jun 2025. The project is financed by the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of Korea, with the contract value of $235 million USD, and a 60-month construction contract

On 29 Aug, Cambodia and South Korea launched cross-border QR code payments, allowing users to make payments by scanning QR codes in both countries. The Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) said that Cambodia's Bakong KHQR and South Korea's Jeonbuk Bank mobile banking app are used for these payments. She added that Cambodia has similar QR code payment agreements with Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and China

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF) announced that international tourists will no longer need to provide a photo or nationality identification when purchasing a one-day ticket to Angkor Wat starting Sep 2024. The number of checkpoints at Angkor Wat's 4 entrances will be reduced to 1 at the temple gate. From 1 Jan 2025, a new pass will be introduced, allowing tourists to visit multiple temples at once

The Ministry of Health in Cambodia has intensified monitoring at major airports due to the rapid spread of mpox. On 27 Aug, health officials at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport installed 3 thermal scanners at the airport’s entrances to monitor travellers. The Ministry reported no cases of the new variant of mpox in Cambodia so far

The Kampot province Governor announced plans to build a new bridge to reduce congestion at the Kampot Prek Bridge, which is becoming overcrowded due to increased visitor numbers. He added that the upcoming bridge will span Prek Kampot or Prek Kampong Bay and will feature an architectural design intended to serve as an iconic landmark, aiming to attract national and international tourists

On 23 Aug, the GIZ ICONE and the TUI Care Foundation, a German travel and tourism company, signed an agreement on a strategic partnership to enhance Cambodia’s tourism sector in Siem Reap. The collaboration focuses on sustainable tourism, cultural and community tourism, and diversifying the tourism base. The Director of GIZ ICONE said that the organisation will facilitate access to finance and equity investment for Cambodian tourism enterprises and prepare them for investment. He added that the cooperation will also focus on promoting sustainable tourism to preserve Siem Reap’s identity. The formal launch of the project is scheduled for mid-Feb 2025

From Jan - Jul 2024, 1.34 million tourists arrived in Cambodia by air, accounting for 36% of total arrivals, +26.4% YoY, while the remaining tourists arrived by land and water routes, +21.5% YoY. Phnom Penh was the most popular destination, followed by Siem Reap province and seaside areas

The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA) signed an MOU to promote tourism between India and Cambodia during the visit of TAFI's North India chapter to Cambodia from 14-18 Aug. The delegation toured Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, visiting cultural landmarks like Angkor Wat, Kulen National Park, and the Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake

On 22 Aug, Prime Minister announced the provision of free transport for residents in northeastern provinces including Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, and Ratanakiri to visit the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) border regions. The trips will be available every weekend from Sep to Dec 2024, designed to address public concerns that the CLV-DTA might lead to the loss of Cambodian territory to Vietnam. The government will cover all expenses, including transportation and food, making the trips accessible to citizens, particularly youth and students

The Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister met with Cambodia's Ambassador to Turkmenistan to discuss establishing trade-economic cooperation, including organising joint business forums, exhibitions, and improving interactions between the parliaments of both countries. The diplomats expressed mutual interest in expanding cultural and humanitarian relations, particularly in science, education, culture, and tourism

According to a Ministry of Tourism’s report, from Jan-Jul 2024, 463,980 Chinese visitors visited Cambodia, +45.6% YoY. Chinese tourists accounted for 12.4% of the total 3.74 million international arrivals to Cambodia during this period

Cambodian Prime Minister advised the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to ease conditions for photography at the Angkor Archaeological Park. He suggested transferring responsibilities to the Angkor Institute to simplify tourist identification processes, discarding procedures like filling out applications and checks to promote tourism

A Khmer-style 35-metre-tall clock with a 9.7-metre-diameter face will be installed in Kampot province to attract more tourists. The installation ceremony was held in Ta Ang village on 22 Aug

Prime Minister announced the extension of tax exemptions for tourism businesses in Siem Reap until the end of Jun 2025, applying to all types of monthly taxes except for value-added tax and 2024 income tax. Audits on tourism businesses will also be postponed during the period. He added that the government has allocated $50 million USD through SME banks to provide loans, especially to tour operators in Siem Reap. The waiver on transitional fines for expired tour guide cards has also been extended until the end of 2024

On 22 Aug, the first annual Tonlesap Ecotourism Network Forum kicked off with the participation of the Minister of Tourism, stakeholders from the public and private sectors, NGOs, and local authorities. The Minister of Tourism said that this forum has been crucial in advancing and preserving the Tonlesap Tourism and Ecotourism community, aligning with the National Ecotourism Policy 2019-2030. He supported similar forums in other 5 ecotourism sites

The PM has approved the extension of opening hours Angkor Archaeological Park, Phnom Bakheng, Pre Rup and Phnom Krom temples. Angkor Wat will open from 5am-6pm,, whilst other temples will see an additional 2 hours opening per day

Electricite du Cambodge (EDC) announced power outages in several districts in Phnom Penh due to repairs, replacements, installation of equipment, and dismantling of network lines. The outage is scheduled to last from 22-24 Aug

On 21 Aug, the 5th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) Meeting took place in Phnom Penh, where Cambodia and Indonesia's top diplomats agreed to expedite the signing of an MoU on rice trade and introduce new MoUs on various trade and tourism areas. Both sides have also committed to increasing direct flights between the 2 countries' popular tourist destinations. The diplomats agree to renew sister-province cooperation between Siem Reap and Central Java, and establish a sister-city relationship between Phnom Penh and West Sumatra. According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), from Jan-Jul 2024, trade volume between Cambodia and Indonesia was over $664 million USD, -1% YoY. Cambodian exports to Indonesia increased by 155% to over $62 million USD, while imports from Indonesia decreased by 6.9% to over $601 million USD

According to the Banteay Meanchey provincial governor, over 10,000 residents are using the Cambodia-Thailand border passes daily to cross into Thailand through the Poipet International Border Checkpoint. He said that with the new system allowing border passes to be verified using QR codes, the process is simplified and residents will no longer need to visit the provincial hall to obtain the passes. Residents must pay $4.91 USD per pass

New hotel openings in Cambodia, including brands like Hyatt Regency, Novotel, Tribe, Ibis Budget, Fairfield, and Citadines, have increased the hotel room inventory in Phnom Penh to over 15,000. Over 3,500 hotel rooms are planned for the future in Phnom Penh. Siem Reap and the coastal areas are also expected to see additional hotel projects. Hotels under development include Angsana Siem Reap, Ritz-Carlton Phnom Penh, Radisson RED and Radisson Blu Phnom Penh, and Shangri-La Phnom Penh Hotel. As of Q3 2024, most hotels in Phnom Penh were located in the central Sangkats, representing over 83% of the city’s total hotel supply. According to recent reports, more than half of these hotels will be categorised as luxury and upper upscale

On 19 Aug, the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) launched the Bakong Tourist App, which enables foreign tourists to make payments using the KHQR code at over 3.3 million retail locations across Cambodia. The event attracted around 150 people from ministries and private sector

According to the Secretary of State of the Tourism Ministry and Chairman of the Muslim Tourism Working Group, the Ministry is implementing the Muslim Tourism Development Plan (2023-2027), and has drafted the Muslim Friendly Label. He said that the private sector participants expressed support and requested early release of the final Muslim Friendly Label for certification. The Muslim Friendly Label will have a separate application procedure from halal certification, particularly for restaurants

Authorities at Chrok La Eang Waterfall in Pursat province have banned loud and disruptive music following complaints of tourists using boomboxes and karaoke devices