Cambodia

Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed 225,191 foreign tourists in Jan-Nov, earning $9 million USD from ticket sales. It welcomed 55,842 foreign visitors in Nov alone, earning $2.25 million USD from ticket sales

Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism reported that there are now 15-16 flights daily to Siem Reap, bringing around 1,300-1,400 international tourists per day. Around 600-700 people also travel to Siem Reap daily by land. Siem Reap welcomed 1,792,549 visitors in Jan-Oct, up 886.335% YoY, comprising 623,200 domestic visitors, up 830.45% YoY, and 169,349 international visitors, up 2,224.30% YoY

The Tourism Ministry reported that 1.199 million (76.06%) of the 1.576 million international arrivals in Jan-Oct declared “holiday” as their purpose of visit, followed by “business” with 321,180 (20.38%), and “others” with 56,135 (3.56%). Cambodia welcomed 310,182 international arrivals in Oct alone, accounting for 19.68% of the 10-month total, up 15.96% MoM. Full-year total is expected to exceed 2.196 million, or up 9.82% than the ministry’s 2 million target, if arrivals for Nov and Dec are equal or greater than Oct’s figure

The Tourism Ministry reported that visitors from ASEAN countries accounted for 72% of the Jan-Oct international arrivals, whilst the whole of Asia-Pacific accounted for 86.1%

A new gravel road and a canal has been inaugurated in a village in Kampot, which is expected to facilitate travel and hygiene in the village

The Apsara National Authority (ANA) to hold a remembrance event at the Angkor Archaeological Park on 14-16 Dec to celebrate 30 years since Angkor Wat’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. The event will feature cultural and art performances, as well as free tours to several sites and museums for tourists and the public to learn about the conservation work within the park

The Royal Academy of Cambodia is working to create a tourism web and app to provide information to tourists and minimise the exploitation of tourists by service providers. The research institution has conducted studies at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports to find out what attracts tourists to Cambodia and the problems they face, such as high transportation rates that are being charged by service providers. The research for the project will be carried out in over 1,300 locations across all 25 provinces, and is expected to be completed in 2023. The app will work on both Android and iOS, and will provide, among others, information, maps, and directions for accommodation, food, rescue services, and others via Google Maps. The website will be available in Khmer, English, Chinese and Russian. A workshop to complete and launch the project will be held at end-2023

The Siem Reap Tourism Club (S.T.C.), SOKEN Group, Nippon Koei and Haystack Labs Studio Co., Ltd (HAYSTACK) have signed an MoU to promote sustainable and smart tourism in Siem Reap. Under the agreement, the parties have developed a “digital tourism nursery model” for the province with the support of the provincial administration and relevant agencies. Siem Reap Governor said that the PM has also set out policies, measures, plans and strategies to promote tourism development and transform Siem Reap into a tourism destination

The Mekong Institute is conducting a roadshow, funded by South Korea, in five UNESCO heritage sites in Mekong countries - Ayutthaya (Thailand), Luang Prabang (Laos), Hue (Vietnam), Bagan (Myanmar), and Siem Reap (Cambodia) - as part of its Sustainable and Smart Tourism Development Project in the Mekong Region. The three-year project aims to introduce “smart tourism tools, techniques, and technologies through learning exchanges, structured learning visits, information-sharing, and adaption of best practices”. The Siem Reap leg of the roadshow was held at Angkor Green Gardens on 21 Nov, supported by the Apsara National Authority and the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism. The event included a talk-fest; a session on how to attract South Korean tourists; photo and video contest to promote sustainable and smart tourism; culture and art performances; and an exhibition highlighting sustainability-focused products and community-based tourism services of local enterprises

The Tourism Ministry reported that Cambodia welcomed 1,575,954 international visitors in Jan-Oct, up 991.1% YoY, of which 559,918 entered by air, up 706.6%, 1,005,549 by land, up 1240.4%, and 10,487 by waterways. Thailand was the top source market with 590,984 visitors, followed by Vietnam (341,953), China (75,915), the US (60,903), Laos (59,368), Indonesia (59,122), South Korea (43,178), Malaysia (40,184), France (37,153), and the UK (28,505)

Around 10,000 people who live in and around the Angkor Wat UNESCO World Heritage Site are being displaced from the area by year-end. The displaced locals were offered $250 USD and a plot in the new village located 40 minutes away from Angkor Wat, where many of the residents make their living. The PM said that all the people must move and will be evicted without compensation if they don’t comply voluntarily. He said that the move is necessary to keep Angkor Wat listed as a UNESCO site. UNESCO responded that it “never called for population displacements in Angkor”

Bokator has been inducted in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an intangible cultural heritage

A new 12-metre-high observation tower has been opened in Kep National Park, which is expected to help promote ecotourism and attract more tourists. The tower was built at the expense of the sale of carbon credits within the framework of protection and conservation of natural resources and promotion of ecotourism

Phnom Penh Municipal Government held a meeting to discuss the revision of the 2035 Phnom Penh master plan and outline the working direction for 2023. The Phnom Penh Governor said that the updating of the master plan is to facilitate the provision of systematic land ownership to people more quickly and efficiently. He instructed district land officials to make sure they clearly understand the plan before carrying out any activities, as any developments, including canal development and other construction, need to be done in accordance with the master plan

The Tourism Ministry reported that Cambodia welcomed 369,404 tourists in the fourth week of Nov, up 6.24% WoW, comprising 334,143 domestic and 35,261 foreign tourists. The top destination was Preah Sihanouk with 181,539 visitors, followed by Siem Reap (32,515), Phnom Penh (27,301), Kampot (23,340), Kep (20,727), Battambang (12,329), and Kampong Cham (11,036). Preah Sihanouk’s high visitor number is attributed to two major events: a concert and exhibition from 22-27 Nov and a jet ski competition at Ochheuteal beach from 24-27 Nov

World Bank’s Poverty Assessment Report reported that Cambodia’s national poverty rate fell from 33.8% to 17.8% over the 10-year period of 2009-2019, with nearly 2 million people escaping poverty. The rate increased by 2.8 pp since 2020, meaning around 460,000 people have fallen below poverty income thresholds again. The report found that rising non-farm earnings, including in the tourism sector, contributed the most to poverty alleviation

Over 120 international delegates for the World-Bays Club’s 2022 World Congress, to be held in Preah Sihanouk on 9-14 Dec, will be taken on a tour of beaches, islands and ecotourism communities, to showcase Cambodia’s high-end attractions. Some of the destinations planned for the tour include beaches in Preah Sihanouk; the Koh Song Saa twin isles (Song Saa Private Island); the islands of Koh Krabei (Six Senses Krabey Island), Koh Russey (Bamboo Island) and Koh Rong, particularly Koh Thansour beach; and the Peam Krasop community ecotourism site in neighbouring Koh Kong province. The Tourism Minister believes that the tour is a “very special” opportunity and the “best way” to promote Cambodia as a tourism hub and attract more visitors. He added that in the 2022-2023 phase of post-pandemic recovery, “beaches, islands and ecotourism destinations will be the only ones playing an important role in attracting and welcoming more tourists”. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) recently approved a proposal by uan Hai Bo Lai International Investment Co Ltd to build a five-star hotel in Village 4, Commune IV, Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk province with registered capital of $168 million USD

NatureLife Cambodia launched the REDD+ project to establish sustainable conservation at Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary of the Eastern Highlands. The firm expects to absorb about 576,000 tonnes of CO2 in the first five years of the project, or around 115,000 tonnes annually. It expects to know the exact amount of CO2 that it can sell and the price for its carbon credits by early or mid-2024. The firm noted that it needs about $500,000 USD annually to manage and implement the conservation programmes at the sanctuary, which they hope to fund through the carbon credits

The Ministry of Environment estimates that it will need $40.5 million USD to protect and conserve wild Asian elephants in Cambodia through a 10-year action plan. The fund is expected to come from the government, NGOs, and development partners

The Tourism Ministry warned that tourism business that operate without licenses will face legal action. The ministry has instructed tourists and travel operators to ask for the tourism license, and scan it with a QR code to verify authenticity first, before using or purchasing any tourism services

The Tourism Minister announced that the government has allocated $26.5 million USD to build the two national vocational tourism schools in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, in addition to the $12 million USD loan from the French Ambassador and French Agency for Development (AFD)

Cambodia Events Organizer, National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and Ministry of Tourism to hold the 27th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon on 4 Dec in Siem Reap, with the participation of over 7,000 runners from 69 countries. Managing Director of Cambodia Events Organizer is optimistic that the event will help boost tourism recovery in Siem Reap and Cambodia as a whole

The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with Hospitality Kampuchea (HoKa) and supported by Swisscontact Cambodia, has launched the Skills Development Programme (SDP) in Pursat province on 23 Nov. Pursat joins Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey provinces as a new target for the programme. HoKa will provide vocational training for young people and low-skilled workers to give a better chance at employment and economic security

The Economic and Financial Statistics Bulletin showed that average inflation in Cambodia fell to 4.9% in Q3, vs 7.4% in Q2

Bigbike of Cambodia-Thailand, in cooperation with provincial governments, held the “Ride for Solidarity Thailand-Cambodia” motorcycling tour to promote tourism and ease land-border crossings for tourists

Ecole d’Hotellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule (EHT) celebrated its 20th anniversary. The school had provided education to about 4,000 graduates. EHT will host a charity dinner to celebrate the anniversary, with all profits to be added to the school’s scholarship fund to support the education of vulnerable Cambodian youth

The UN Development Programme has downgraded its estimate for Cambodia’s 2022 GDP growth to 4.9%, from the initial projection of 5.4%, due to potential impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, such as rising fuel prices, in addition to the global economic slowdown and its impact on demand for Cambodian exports, the tourism sector and construction sector investments. Poverty rate is estimated at 15.2%, higher than initial projections of 15.0%, which translates to he prevention of around 85,000 people from falling back into poverty. Unemployment rate in 2022 is estimates to reach 1.25%, vs initial projections of 1.12%. It might increase to 1.45% without social protection measures

The start of operations at Koh Kong’s new Dara Sakor International Airport has been delayed from end-2022 to mid-2023, due to prolonged pandemic disruptions, economic uncertainties, and geopolitical tensions. The airport is being developed by China’s Tianjin Union Development Group to serve the Dara Sakor Resort, which is promoted as a “luxury eco-tourism destination”. The development costs an estimated $350 million USD, with $200 million USD used in Phase I alone. The airport reportedly will be a Code 4E International Airport, which will allow it to accommodate wide-body passenger aircraft. Staff will undergo training and ability tests during the delay of the airport opening

The Tourism Ministry forecasts international arrivals to Cambodia to reach two million by year-end, up from the initial projection of 1.2-1.3 million, whilst domestic tourists are predicted to reach 11 million. Cambodia is projected to attract around 7.5 million international tourists and 16 million domestic tourists by 2028. Cambodia welcomed 1.2 million international visitors from Jan-Sep, up 861% YoY, as well as 9.6 million domestic tourists, up 430% YoY. He added that 2,708 tourism-related businesses have reopened, helping 31,105 employees return to their jobs. Cambodia is now relying on visits from neighbouring countries and Europe, as China is yet to fully reopen. The Southern Tourism Corridor Cooperation with Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos, is also expected to attract more tourists during the year-end and New Year holidays. Chair of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter noted that the lack of Chinese tourists had impacted Cambodia’s tourism industry to some extent, adding: “I don’t think the Chinese are coming back anytime soon. We will have to wait further”

Cambodia holds its 3rd National Games and 1st Paralympic Games from 19-30 Nov in Phnom Penh and the provinces of Kampot, Preah Sihanouk, Kep and Siem Reap. PM Hun Sen regards the event as an opportunity to prepare Cambodia’s athletes for the upcoming SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2023, which Cambodia will host

The state-owned Small and Medium Enterprise Bank of Cambodia Plc (SME Bank) has disbursed around $418 million USD in loans to at least 3,185 SMEs as of 31 Oct, since its foundation in Feb 2020, to support them during the peak of the pandemic, and further to reopen and expand post-pandemic. The bank lends directly and through co-financing schemes with 33 participating financial institutions (PFI). Only 22 of the PFIs have disbursed loans under the co-financing schemes, contributing $187 million USD, or nearly 45% of the total credit provided. A total of $33.7 million USD in loans have also been disbursed to 251 tourism-related businesses under the $150 million USD Tourism Recovery Co-Financing Scheme (TRCS) in Jul-Oct, of which loans in Oct accounted for 25% of the total with 62 new firms receiving loans

The Chumnor Art Festival to return to Battambang from 25-27 Nov after a two year delay due to the pandemic, featuring 190 artists and performers from Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Battambang provinces. The event will also feature an Art Tour, which will take tourists to meet nine artists around Battambang town

The Tourism Minister outlined seven key recommendation for more efficient post-pandemic development of the ecotourism and community-based tourism segments, with emphasis on turning challenges into opportunities, including: • Determining which ecotourism sites are national priorities • Incorporating activities associated with ecotourism and other forms of tourism into communities with significant perceived potential, regardless under which institution’s purview any pertinent actions may fall under • Building roads linking communities and providing them with electricity, clean water, telecommunications and internet infrastructure, waste management, unexploded ordnance clearance, and malaria treatment, among others • Convincing development partners and other national and international organisations to provide technical and financial support to the ministry and NACTEC for projects related to ecotourism and community-based tourism segments • Drumming up support among the private sector to help tourism communities, specifically by offering and promoting tours that visit the areas that they manage, or activities that use their services • Opening up channels for communities to raise their most pressing issues to resolve through more concerted efforts • Encouraging creativity and innovation in ecotourism development in step with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Cambodia to start construction on the two National Vocational Tourism Schools on 24 Nov. One will be located in Phnom Penh, whilst the other school will be in Sihanoukville. The project is expected to cost over $11 million USD, which will be funded through concessional loan by the Agence Française de Dévelopement (AFD). The AFD has also provided 1.5 million EUR as a grant for the Tourism Commercial Capacity Building Programme (TCBP) of Cambodia in addition to the loan. AFD expect the schools to provide initial and in-service training for 1,300 students annually. The courses will be prepared according to the needs of the various segment in the hospitality industry. AFD stated that it will “be supporting the construction of more vocational schools and tourism-related projects in the Kingdom”

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia chapter to organise a “Temple Walk for Heritage” at Preah Vihear Temple on 3-4 Dec to promote tourism and environmentalism whilst supporting the local economy. The event is the first that PATA set up at Preah Vihear temple in cooperation with the government, which is providing support through the National Authority for Preah Vihear, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts and the Ministry of Tourism. The event is also expected to boost friendship and cooperation with neighbouring ASEAN countries, such as Thailand. The event will also be an observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 Dec

The Royal Palace to reopen for tourists in Dec after over two-year of closure due to the pandemic

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs organised a "Financial and Digital Knowledge" training course with the participation of 75 women from four target provinces: Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng and Kratie

Phare Ponleu Selpak has been recognised by the Guinness World Records for “Longest Circus Show”, for the over 24-hour online circus that the company did on 7 Mar 2021. The event was watched online by nearly one million people online and raised over $150,000 USD that helped the organisation survive the 50% drop in income due to the pandemic

Cambodia Tourism Federation organised the CAMFOOD & CAMHOTEL 2022 international exhibition of food, hotel, and hospitality on 16-18 Nov, with the participation of over 250 national and international exhibitors. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors. A job search forum for the hospitality sector has also been organised in collaboration with the Hotel Association of Cambodia

Construction and industry exhibition CAMBUILD 2022 was held at Koh Pich Convention Centre, Phnom Penh on 16-18 Nov, with the participation of over 300 major companies from around the world, including firms from China, India, Singapore, Italy, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam

Swiss NGO Swisscontact to provide instruction to 150 hospitality trainers and 780 entry level staff throughout Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Oddar Meanchey, and Banteay Meanchey, as part of an MoU with the Tourism Ministry that will run through to 2024. The training will be provided through the Cambodia Hospitality Training Program (HoKa). The agreement approved a three year action plan and budget to promote hospitality training in priority areas, including receptionists, housekeepers, community guides and F&B services. Hoka Project Management Committee noted that it is important to improve the skills of workers as “the number of businesses which are reopening – and of new ones opening – has grown significantly in recent months”. There has also been a trend in domestic tourism around the Tonle Sap Lake provinces, especially Siem Reap, Battambang, and Pursat

The Tourism Ministry reported that Cambodia welcomed 2,724,491 tourists nationwide from 7-13 Nov, comprising 2,666,684 domestic and 57,807 internal foreign visitors. Top destinations include Preah Sihanouk (632,476 visitors), Kampot (611,991), Siem Reap (345,152), Kampong Speu (241,470), Tbong Khmum (234,463), Battambang (108,845), and Kep (107,731)

The two-year renovation of the Hall of Dancers at Ta Prohm Temple in Siem Reap has been completed. The Apsara National Authority (ANA) expects the number of tourists to increase following the restoration

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to hold the “Life of the Buddha” exhibition at the National Museum in Phnom Penh on 18-30 Nov. It will display 36 photographic archives of paintings on the life of Buddha from three pagodas in Kandal province that were lost in 2020 and 2021

PM Hun Sen cancelled meetings at G20 Summit in Bali after testing positive for COVID-19

Phare Circus to hold performances at Urban Village and Factory Phnom Penh throughout Nov

Cambodia and Japan have agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2023

Japan to provide $51.3 million USD to Cambodia for the implementation of four major projects, including the construction of a training and education building on war awareness of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (worth $17 million USD), a socio-economic development programme ($8 million USD), a project to improve the management of contaminated medical waste ($3 million USD), and the expansion of the water supply system of Prek Village Factory ($23.3 million USD)

The Tourism Ministry reported that Cambodia saw over 2.5 million travellers during the 7-9 Nov Water Festival, including 33,000 foreign residents. The number increased 80% YoY. Around 750,000 travelled on 7 and 9 Nov, whilst around one million travelled on 8 Nov. Kampot welcomed the most visitors at 588,000, followed by Preah Sihanouk (494,000), Siem Reap (309,000), Tbong Khmum (233,000), Kampong Speu (233,000), Phnom Penh (166,000), and Battambang and Kep provinces (slightly less than 100,000 each)

Cambodia celebrates "COVID Zero", meaning the country currently has no active COVID-19 cases

Preah Sihanouk welcomed 494,919 tourists during the three-day Royal Water Festival, attributed to the launch of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, improvement of infrastructure and facilities, as well as the organisation of events, international exhibitions, and concerts

China and Cambodia signed 18 agreements on aid and cooperation, including for road and bridge construction, agricultural trade, education, and health. The Cambodian PM’s personal assistant revealed that China will reportedly provide $27.6 million USD to “improve Cambodians’ quality of life”. China also vowed to continue supporting the restoration of Cambodia’s cultural heritage

A meeting was held at Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall on 7 Nov to prepare for two major tourism events at the province: the 9th Sea Festival to be held on 9-11 Dec, and the World-Bays Club’s 2022 World Congress to be held on 9-14 Dec. The Tourism Minister highlighted the “One Village, One Product” movement as a priority for the festival. The Sea Festival will include 350 booths from various areas, including tourism and development, Industry 4.0, and Khmer and foreign cuisine. It will also feature art performances, marathons, cycling challenges, Khmer boxing, table football, basketball and sailing

The Tourism Ministry reported that Cambodia saw 803,413 domestic tourists from 31 Oct-6 Nov, comprising 772,942 Cambodian nationals and 30,471 foreigners. Kampot was the top destination with 207,245 visitors, followed by Preah Sihanouk (160,460), Banteay Meanchey (123,856), Kampong Thom (107,904), Siem Reap (43,492), Takeo (29,155), Phnom Penh (22,954). The numbers do not include tourists for the royal holiday, the Water Festival, the floating of lanterns and the worship of the moon Ok Ambok

The Tourism Minister said that the Sea Festival in Preah Sihanouk “is an opportunity to show the world of Cambodia’s success in leading the fight against COVID-19 successfully, and Cambodia has opened a safe, socio-economic country for its citizens, tourists and investors”

Cambodia and Vietnam signed 11 cooperation agreements, including on land transport; agricultural cooperation; border trade; commerce; TV and radio cooperation; telecom, ICT, and digital transformation; labour; financial innovation and payment systems

The Khmer culture-sport-tourism festival was held on 6-9 Nov along the Cai Lon river in Go Quao district, which houses the largest number of Khmer people in Kien Giang, Vietnam. The festival is expected to attract 300,000 visitors, and is expected to see the participation of nearly 3,000 artisans, actors and athletes from across the province. The festival features activities such as musical-art performances, a food-culture trade fair and exhibition, a football tournament, and a Khmer boat race