1.92 Million Tourists for Pchum Ben Festival: Tourism Ministry
National and Foreign Tourists visited the Angkor Wat during Pchum Ben Day. Photo: Thorng Broney
- By Meng Seavmey
- October 17, 2023 5:50 PM
PHNOM PENH – Cambodian tourism destinations welcomed more than 1.92 million tourists from Oct. 13 to 15 during the three days of the Pchum Ben festival.
Ministry of Tourism Spokesperson Top Sopheak said on Oct. 17 that there were around 1.89 million national tourists – a 52.2 percent increase compared to last year – and 27,000 foreigners – up by 90.5 percent.
According to the ministry’s data, Tbong Khmum province was the most visited province and welcomed more than 440,300 visitors. It was followed by the provinces of Battambang (211,329 visitors), Kampong Chhnang (168,061 visitors), and Preah Sihanouk (157,046 visitors).
Siem Reap province, which is home to the Angkor Archeological Park, welcomed 132,051 visitors, of which 125,449 were national tourists, according to the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism.
In some destinations, people organized local events to attract tourists to their respective areas. Tboung Khmum province, for example, held an early water festival, a large-scale concert, a firework, and the One Village One Product (OVOP) movement, which aims to promote locally produced goods.
Nationwide, beach destinations have attracted more visitors than cultural or eco-tourism sites. Combined, the coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong welcomed 357,039 national tourists and 7,148 foreigners, while the provinces of Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Siem Reap, which host renowned cultural sites, only received 204,607 national and 7,010 foreign tourists.
Eco-tourism locations such as Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and Stung Treng provinces received nearly 50,000 national tourists and 562 foreigners.
The Battambang region, which includes Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, and Pursat provinces, hosted 412,107 national and 5,347 foreign tourists.
“The tourist statistics were summed up from the provincial administrations that counted the national tourists who went to tourism destinations within the country as well as those who joined events or celebrations in villages or cities,” said Top Sopheak.
