PHNOM PENH — Cambodia’s annual Water Festival attracted more than 2. 3 million visitors this year despite the event being cancelled in Phnom Penh where the country’s biggest event usually takes place.

A total of 2,364,407 visitors, which included 44,208 international tourists, were recorded over the 3-day festival referred to in Khmer as Bon Om Touk, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism hotspots such as Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Battambang, Mondulkiri and many other provinces hosted vibrant celebrations featuring colorful decorations, exhibitions, concerts, art shows and fireworks.

After ranking second last year, Siem Reap city emerged this year as the most visited destination during the festival, attracting 368,246 tourists, followed by Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh, Kampot and Pailin.

To boost tourism, Siem Reap had scheduled lively activities such as friendly boat races, boat rides, exhibitions, Khmer martial art performances and other events, the celebrations scheduled to continue through Nov. 8.

Preah Sihanouk province, which is located on the gulf coast, welcomed 321,478 domestic and 8,596 international visitors.

Kampot, also a coastal province, drew 194,204 domestic and 1,487 foreign visitors, while Pailin, in the western part of the country, received 188,695 local and 523 international visitors.

Nationwide, beach destinations attracted more tourists than cultural or eco-tourism sites. The coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong welcomed a total of 750,746 visitors, while historical and cultural destinations in Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Siem Reap provinces received 385,169 visitors.

Eco-tourism sites such as Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces drew 127,845 visitors. The western region, which includes Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, and Pursat provinces, hosted 460,030 visitors.

Despite the absence of its usual festival events, Phnom Penh still attracted 284,372 domestic and 18,287 international tourists.

The 2024 celebrations, which were held Nov. 14 through 16 after a three-year hiatus, attracted more than 7.7 million visitors nationwide, including 6.2 million to the capital alone.

As this year’s festival concluded, Prime Minister Hun Manet on Nov. 7 expressed his appreciation to all the teams and the authorities who fulfilled their duties, ensuring public safety and maintaining a clean environment throughout the celebrations.