cambodia tourism growth

• Login/Register

Cambodia’s Tourism Sector Generates $3.04 Billion in 2023

In a significant uptick for Cambodia’s economy, the tourism sector reported a revenue of $3.04 billion in 2023, marking a 115% increase from the $1.41 billion recorded the previous year. This financial boost is outlined in a report by the Ministry of Tourism, published on February 12, 2024, reflecting the sector’s robust recovery and growth.

The country saw a substantial rise in international visitors, with 5.45 million tourists arriving in 2023, a 140% surge from the 2.27 million tourists in the preceding year. On average, these visitors spent 7.6 days exploring Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

In a move to further bolster tourism and foster international relationships, Cambodia inaugurated the 2024 Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year last month. This initiative aims to strengthen ties and encourage a greater influx of tourists and investors from China to Cambodia. Cambodian Tourism Minister Sok Soken, speaking at the launch event in Siem Reap, expressed high hopes for the initiative, foreseeing it as a significant factor in attracting more visitors and investment from China.

China emerged as the third-largest source of international tourists to Cambodia in 2023. The nation welcomed 547,798 Chinese tourists, a staggering increase of 412% from the 106,875 Chinese visitors recorded in the previous year.

Tourism plays a crucial role in Cambodia’s economy, being one of its four main pillars. The country is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in Kampong Thom, and the Temples of Preah Vihear and Koh Ker in Preah Vihear province. These sites are significant draws for both history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.

Additionally, Cambodia boasts a pristine 450 km long coastline along four southwestern provinces: Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong. This coastline is renowned for its untouched beauty and offers a tranquil retreat for visitors seeking relaxation and scenic views. The combined allure of cultural heritage and natural landscapes continues to position Cambodia as a favored destination for international travelers, contributing to the sustainable growth of its tourism sector.

Source: Khmer Times

Surya Narayan

Koh ker achieves top 52 global travel destinations recognition by new york times, cambodia sees notable increase in international trade in january 2024, you may also like, cambodia and austria strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation, cambodia and georgia strengthen bilateral relations through political and economic cooperation, cambodian and south korean prime ministers hold significant meeting in seoul, cambodian prime minister attends prestigious luncheon in south korea, cambodian senate president discusses regional relations and the importance of the funan techo canal, cambodia’s tourism sector expands through strategic partnership, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Explore The Better Cambodia

A vibrant media hub focusing on Cambodia’s remarkable successes and heartening stories. Stay connected to the nation’s progress and be inspired by its promising future.

• 9R9R+587, Krong Siem Reap, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Phone: +855 77 246 722
• Email: [email protected]

Top Categories

• Unsung Heroes
• Artisans of Cambodia
• Invest In Cambodia
• Cambodian Brands
• The Better Asia

Useful Links

• About The Better Cambodia
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Accessibility Statement
• Personal Information
• Data Tracking
• Register New Account

Sign up for The Better Cambodia's newsletter to receive the latest articles and stories. Stay informed and inspired with our positive content!

Latest News

Copyright © 2023 The Better Cambodia. All rights reserved.

Keep me signed in until I sign out

Forgot your password?

A new password will be emailed to you.

Have received a new password? Login here

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription.

Newsletter!

Effects of Tourism Expenditure on Cambodia’ Economy: A Computable General Equilibrium Model for Cambodia

• Conference paper
• First Online: 30 July 2022
• Cite this conference paper

• Chantha Hor 5  

Part of the book series: Studies in Systems, Decision and Control ((SSDC,volume 429))

Included in the following conference series:

• International Conference of the Thailand Econometrics Society

382 Accesses

The ten-year (2011–2020) tourism strategic development plan in Cambodia has diversified destinations into four strategic tourism destinations: Central (business tourism), Northwest (cultural tourism), Southwest (coastal tourism), and Northeast (eco-tourism). This paper analyzes the impact of a 10% increase in tourism expenditure for the tourism sector by employing a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model based on Macro-and Micro social accounting matrix year 2015. I find that 10% increased tourism expenditure stimulates the real GDP, private consumption, exports, and imports in the short run; it reduces real GDP in the long run. The estimation result suggests that a shock in tourism expenditure increases household income and improves household welfare at Cambodia’s four strategic tourism destinations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Becken, S., & Lennox, J. (2012). Implications of a long-term increase in oil prices for tourism. Tourism Management, 33 (1), 133–142.

Article   Google Scholar  

Blake, A. (2000). The economic effects of tourism in Spain. Christel DeHaan Tourism and Travel Research Institute.

Google Scholar  

Blake, A., Arbache, J. S., Sinclair, M. T., & Teles, V. (2008). Tourism and poverty relief. Annals of Tourism Research, 35 (1), 107–126.

Blake, A., & Sinclair, M. T. (2003). Tourism crisis management US response to September 11. Annals of Tourism Research, 30 (4), 813–832.

Blake, A., Sinclair, M. T., & Soria, J. A. C. (2006). Tourism productivity: Evidence from the United Kingdom. Annals of Tourism Research, 33 (4), 1099–1120.

Chhuor, S. (2017). Potential roles of the export orientation of Cambodia’s agriculture and agro-industry: An application of CGE analysis. Journal of Economic Structures , 6 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40008-017-0087-6

Dwyer, L., Forsyth, P., Madden, J., & Spurr, R. (2000). Economic impacts of inbound tourism under different assumptions regarding the macroeconomy. Current Issues in Tourism, 3 (4), 325–363.

Dwyer, L., Forsyth, P., & Spurr, R. (2004). Evaluating tourism’s economic effects: New and old approaches. Tourism Management, 25 (3), 307–317.

Dyna, H., & Em, K. (2015). Impacts of Cambodia’s tariff elimination on household welfare and labor market: a CGE approach. Partnership for Economic Policy-PEP .

Ear, S., Sim, S., & Khiev, P. (2016). Macroeconomic impacts of public consumption on education—A computable general equilibrium approach. Partnership for Economic Policy-PEP .

Forsyth, P., Dwyer, L., Spurr, R., & Pham, T. (2014). The impacts of Australia’s departure tax: Tourism versus the economy? Tourism Management, 40 , 126–136.

Gül, H. (2013). Economic impacts of an increase in the foreign tourism receipts: A SAM-based income multiplier analysis. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research, 1 (1), 17–36.

Gül, H. (2016). Effects of foreign demand increase in the tourism industry: A CGE approach to Turkey. An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research, 26 (4), 598–611.

Henry, E. W., & Deane, B. (1997). The contribution of tourism to the economy of Ireland in 1990 and 1995. Tourism Management, 18 (8), 535–553.

Ihalanayake, R. (2012). Economic effects of tourism tax changes in Australia: Empirical evidence from a computable general equilibrium model. Tourism Economics, 18 (1), 181–202.

Kobayashi, S., Tanji, H., Saito, K., Huang, W., & Tada, M. (2009). The industrial structure of Cambodia and the role of agriculture and fishery in its development. Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly, 43 (4), 309–316.

Narayan, P. K. (2004). The economic impact of tourism on Fiji’s economy: Empirical evidence from the computable general equilibrium model. Tourism Economics, 10 (4), 419–433.

Njoya, E. T., & Nikitas, A. (2020). The role of air transport in employment creation and inclusive growth in the Global South: The case of South Africa. Journal of Transport Geography, 85 , 102738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102738

Levy, S. (2017). Graduation-based social protection for Cambodia’s extreme poor: a general equilibrium analysis of economic and poverty impacts .

Li, S., Blake, A., & Cooper, C. (2011). Modeling the economic impact of international tourism on the Chinese economy: A CGE analysis of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Tourism Economics, 17 (2), 279–303.

Li, S., & Song, H. (2013). Economic impacts of visa restrictions on tourism: A case of two events in China. Annals of Tourism Research, 43 , 251–271.

Lofgren, H., Harris, R. L., & Robinson, S. (2002). A standard computable general equilibrium (CGE) model in GAMs . Micro Computers in Policy Research No. 5. International Food Policy Research Institution, Washington, DC.

Mahadevan, R., Amir, H., & Nugroho, A. (2017). Regional impacts of tourism-led growth on poverty and income inequality. Tourism Economics, 23 (3), 614–631.

Meng, S. (2014). The role of inbound tourism in the Singaporean economy: A computable general equilibrium (CGE) assessment. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 31 (8), 1071–1089.

MOT. (2019). Tourism annual statistics report . Ministry of Tourism, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Pambudi, D., McCaughey, N., & Smyth, R. (2009). Computable general equilibrium estimates of the impact of the Bali bombing on the Indonesian economy. Tourism Management, 30 (2), 232–239.

Soubert, S., & Lay, S. (1995). Case study on the effects of tourism on culture and the environment . UNESCO.

Sugiya, G., Blake, A., & Sinclair, M. T. (2003). Tourism and globalization: Economic impact in Indonesia. Annals of Tourism Research, 30 (3), 683–701.

United Nation World Tourism Organization. (2020). International tourism highlights . https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284422456 . Accessed July 25, 2021.

World Bank. (2020). Enabling eco-tourism development in Cambodia . Washington, DC.

Yang, H. Y., & Chen, K. H. (2009). A general equilibrium analysis of the economic impact of a tourism crisis: A case study of the SARS epidemic in Taiwan. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 1 (1), 37–60.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

ACLEDA Institute of Business, #1397, Phnom Penh-Hanoi Friendship Blvd, Phum Anlong Kngan, Sangkat Khmuonh, Khan Saensokh, Phnom Penh, 1149, Kingdom of Cambodia

Chantha Hor

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chantha Hor .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Songsak Sriboonchitta

Department of Computer Science, University of Texas, El Paso, TX, USA

Vladik Kreinovich

Faculty of Economics, Center of Excellence in Econometrics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Woraphon Yamaka

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Cite this paper.

Hor, C. (2022). Effects of Tourism Expenditure on Cambodia’ Economy: A Computable General Equilibrium Model for Cambodia. In: Sriboonchitta, S., Kreinovich, V., Yamaka, W. (eds) Credible Asset Allocation, Optimal Transport Methods, and Related Topics. TES 2022. Studies in Systems, Decision and Control, vol 429. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97273-8_32

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97273-8_32

Published : 30 July 2022

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-97272-1

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-97273-8

eBook Packages : Intelligent Technologies and Robotics Intelligent Technologies and Robotics (R0)

Share this paper

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

• Development Policy Centre
• Australian Aid Tracker
• Aid Profiles
• PNG Databases
• Publications

Navigating uncertainty: Cambodian tourism businesses and the pandemic

Streets crowded with tuk-tuks carrying visitors to Angkor Wat; bustling restaurants and bars; hotels and guesthouses pre-booked for the Water Festival – these scenes vanished when the COVID-19 pandemic stopped international and domestic tourists from visiting Cambodia’s sights.

Although the country’s public health situation was comparably unscathed throughout 2020 – Cambodia recorded only 331 active cases and no deaths by November 2020 – movement restrictions decreased household incomes by 30 to 60%. The situation escalated in 2021 when Cambodia went from a few cases to more than 60,000 by mid-July 2021.

Contributing over 70% of jobs and 58% of GDP in 2018, Cambodia’s micro-, small and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) have been profoundly affected by the pandemic. The tourism industry, Cambodia’s second-largest driver of economic growth and where many MSMEs work, is especially in crisis. In 2019, tourism generated about US$4.9 billion, nearly 20% of the country’s GDP , while COVID-affected 2020 saw international tourism revenue plummet nearly 80%, to US$1.023 billion.

In 2020 and 2021, to understand the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses in the region, The Asia Foundation collaborated with local partners in carrying out multiple surveys of MSMEs in tourism, handicrafts, manufacturing and other industries across Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

In July and November 2020 and in April 2021, we also surveyed registered and unregistered businesses in Cambodia’s tourism sector. The surveys indicated that 99% had been affected by the pandemic and lockdowns, with over 50% severely affected in April 2021. As COVID-19 restrictions were extended, the situation worsened: 54% of respondents reported cash flow problems in November 2020, increasing to 83% by April 2021.

The surveys revealed a link between national COVID-19 caseloads, perceptions around business survivability, and adaptation efforts. In Cambodia, a slight majority of surveyed businesses considered COVID-19 a threat to their operations in July and November 2020, when caseloads were low, but by April 2021 more than three-quarters of businesses viewed the pandemic as a serious threat.

In July 2020, 40% of Cambodian tourism businesses reported pandemic-related layoffs, while 60% had held steady. Only 16% reported letting staff go between July and November. Instead, many had decreased employee hours or were rotating hours to keep workers. However, by April 2021, facing greater restrictions and a worsening public health crisis, 33% of Cambodian tourism businesses reported having laid off employees – twice as many as in November.

Idled tourism workers sought any short-term work opportunities to make ends meet. In Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat and other attractions, many women – who were disproportionately affected by layoffs – left the city, hoping to find jobs in the garment industry in Phnom Penh. Unfortunately, COVID-19 containment measures caused the garment factories to close.

After the first lockdown in April 2020, street vendors, taxi drivers, and tuk-tuk drivers felt less affected by the pandemic because domestic tourism and daily life continued. However, as pandemic restrictions grew and activity declined, many male tuk-tuk drivers turned to construction work – only to see worksites close in April 2021 lockdowns, leaving some with only half that month’s salary in hand.

Many Cambodian tourism MSMEs were unable to adapt their business models to digital methods. Only 8% reported doing increased business online by April 2021. Some food-related businesses, such as restaurants and street vendors in Phnom Penh, generated income through online delivery platforms. However, online is not an option for tourism businesses that cannot offer takeout food or virtual services.

Since the crisis began, Southeast Asian governments have provided a range of packages to support businesses in weathering the pandemic. However, communication about assistance and how to access it has often been inadequate.

Cambodia has provided direct support, such as cash for laid-off workers, and indirect support, such as debt restructuring. Unregistered businesses do not currently qualify for support, yet they make up a large share of employers and workers.

Although Cambodia was relatively successful in disseminating information to registered businesses compared to other countries in the region, only about 50% of MSMEs surveyed had enrolled and received needed assistance. Some said they lacked information on the programs, especially process and eligibility details, while others found the application procedures difficult to navigate.

The initial optimism of many Southeast Asian MSMEs for a 2021 economic recovery has been dampened by the latest wave of COVID-19. Despite this, Cambodia may see a quicker return to normal due to one of the highest vaccination rates in the region.

Governments must prioritise vaccine rollout, and plan for an uncertain future, in order to mitigate the economic fallout of COVID-19 containment strategies. Financial assistance for MSMEs can help negate the worst of the effects and prolong business survival. But to be effective, coverage needs to include both registered and unregistered businesses.

Beyond existing support mechanisms, governments must provide targeted and tailored assistance for women, young people, and contract and informal workers – those most adversely affected by the economic fallout. A strong and inclusive economic recovery will require more than online access and minor business adaptations – it will demand greater attention to these differential dynamics, better communication and outreach to MSMEs, and larger safety nets while scaling up vaccination.

Read the Cambodia surveys .  Read the latest GovAsia issue 1.3 about the impact of COVID-19 on MSMEs across Southeast Asia . Find individual country survey reports .

This post is part of a collaborative series with  The Asia Foundation .

This article draws on research exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Cambodian MSMEs in the tourism sector and households in Cambodia. The research was completed in partnership with Angkor Research and Consulting, Centre for Policy Studies, and Future Forum, and was funded under a partnership between The Asia Foundation’s United States Congressional Appropriation; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia; and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), New Zealand through the Ambassador Fund. The views expressed are those of the authors only.

Related posts:

• COVID-19 in Vietnam: holding our breath in wave four
• Fiji's new budget: significant fiscal challenges
• Fiji’s next budget should focus on crisis mitigation and economic recovery
• COVID-19 takes hold in the Pacific
• Second wave of COVID-19 cases shakes up Fiji

Men Pechet is a Program Manager in The Asia Foundation’s Cambodia Office.

Marly Augustine

Marly Augustine is a consultant with The Asia Foundation’s Governance, and Evaluation and Learning Units.

Leave a Comment X

Sign me up for the fortnightly newsletter!

Don't subscribe All new comments Replies to my comments Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

Share on Mastodon

• 2 February 2023

The Royal Government of Cambodia has acknowledged the potential of the tourism industry as a source of Cambodia’s socio-economy growth, including job creation and poverty reduction. Tourism has been considered one of Cambodia’s key economic pillars, both international and domestic. In the early 2000s , the top foreign tourists to Cambodia were westerners from the United States, United Kingdom, and France. 1 Chinese tourists have topped the 2019 Cambodia arrival list accounting for 2.36 million visitors. 2 It shows an 18 percent increase from 2018. Chinese tourists remain at the top for 2020, followed by Thailand and Vietnam . 3 Other tourist arrivals are from the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan, France, and Chinese Taipei. 4 For outbound departure, Cambodia has traveled the most to Thailand (42 percent), Vietnam (30 percent), Taiwan (12 percent), China (5 percent), Malaysia (4 percent), and the rest of the world (7 percent) in 2019. 5

In 20 19, there were approximately 11.3 million domestic and 6.61 million international tourists. 6 In 2022, Cambodia recorded 2.2 million international visitors, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. 7 International tourist revenue shared of Cambodia’s GDP was 9.44 percent in 2000 . 8 The number increased to 19.61 percent in 2019. 9 International tourist receipts are equivalent to 228 million USD in 2000 and 4,919 million USD in 2019. 10 However, the number dropped significantly in 2020 as the world was hit with COVID-19’s quarantine and travel restrictions. In 2020, international tourist receipts dropped threefold from the previous year to around 1,023 million USD. 11

Tourism directly employed 630,000 workers , of which 60 percent were women in 2019. 12 The sector is only second to the garment sector with the largest number of women employed. In terms of hotels and accommodation, a s of 2020 , a total of 1,028 hotels provide 44,428 rooms residing in 25 provinces across Cambodia. 13 Another accommodation type is the guesthouse, in which 2,755 units are divided into 35,791 rooms are available for tourists. 14 As the tourism industry grows and demand for accommodation spike over the year, the number of hotels and guesthouses also increase. In 1998, there were only 216 hotels and 147 guesthouses. It shows a growth rate of 386 percent and 1.740 percent for hotels and guesthouses, respectively. 15

Cambodia’s top tourist destination is the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap. The park covers 400 square kilometers and consists of forest areas and many ancient temples. It is home to Angkor Wat temple, the largest religious temple in the world. The temple was listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1992. 16 Angkor Wat and other temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park have generated millions of dollars and attracted millions of local and international travelers each year. In 2019 , Angkor Wat attracted approximately 2.2 million international tourists generating 99 million USD in revenue through ticket sales. 17 Other tourist’s popular destinations are coastal areas (Preah Sihanouk, Koh Rong, Kep, Koh Kong, and Kampot), mountain areas (Battambang, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri, Pursat), and ecotourism that spread out across the countries .

Ecotourism and Communities-Based Ecotourism (CBET) in Cambodia

The United Nations World Tourism Organization defines ecotourism as “all nature-based forms of tourism in which the main motivation of visitors is the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in natural areas.” 18   While communities based ecotourism involves the local communities’ participation and natural resource management, who will gain direct benefits through ecotourism activities in their areas. 19 As communities-based ecotourism generate profit for the local, it also preserves the natural resources and environments. For a country with rich natural landscapes and attractions, Cambodia has the potential for ecotourism development. 20  

In the last decades, ecotourism has experienced rapid growth. The main reason for the change is the government’s prioritization of diversifying the sector and the need for sustainable tourism. I n 2017 , the interministerial ecotourism task force was formed to manage and develop potential communities based tourism in Cambodia. 21 In addition, i n 2021 , based on the success of the interministerial task force, the National Committee for Management and Development of Community-Based Tourism and Ecotourism (NCDCBE) was established. 22  

Virachey National Park, Ratanakiri, Cambodia. Photo taken from Ministry of Tourism’s Facebook page on 05 October 2017.

As of 2019, the Ministry of Tourism stated that there are around 266 ecotourism sites, 13 of which are community base ecotourism operating across Cambodia. 23  In 2019 , ecotourism shared 16 percent of the total tourist visit in Cambodia. 24 The number has accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as the demand for domestic tourism increased due to international travel restrictions. In 2022, The Ministry of Environment approved 307 small-scale ecotourism projects, which shows a hike in ecotourism demand in the past few years. 25 Also, the Ministry of Agriculture has identified 131 agricultural communitie s that have the potential to convert into communities-based ecotourism that can improve the local’s living standard. 26

In collaborating with the World Bank, the Ministry of Environment implemented the Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (CSLEP) in 2019. The 50.66 million USD project aims to promote ecotourism and non-timber forest products in the Cardonmon mountain and Tonel Sap landscape, which they identified as potential areas for communities-based ecotourism development; namely, the Koh Kong province, Siem Reap province, and Phnom Aural protected area. 27 Under the CLSEP project, various frameworks are published including the Process Framework of the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism , Indigenous People Planning Framework of the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism and Resettlement Policy Framework of the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism.

Tourism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Having tourism as one of their main source of revenue, Cambodia felt the impact of COVID-19 . At the beginning of the pandemic, the tourism sector was drastically affected. The reason is mainly due to the travel restriction that prevents foreign tourists from traveling. 28 Foreigners visiting Cambodia dropped significantly from 6.61 million in 2019 to 1.3 million visitors in 2020. 29   It is estimated that Cambodia has lost 3 billion USD of tourism revenue to the COVID-19 pandemic. 30

I n 2020 , Tourism-related employment decreased by 21.7 percent from the previous year. 31 It was equivalent to 2.33 million in employment in 2019 to 1.82 million in 2020. 32 As of September 2020 , the Ministry of Tourism reported that about 3000 tourism-related businesses were closed or suspended. 33 About 62 percent o f the affected business were based in Siem reap, forcing nearly 15,000 workers out of jobs. 34 Most suspended or laid-off workers turn to the agricultural sector to support their daily incomes.

The government has initiated various long and short-term recovery responses to retrieve the tourism industry. Those measures include tax/fee exemptions and cash support/loans for tourism-related businesses and enterprises, vaccination campaigns and capacity development for employees in the tourism sector, and infrastructure development. For instance, on February 2020 , a policy on monthly tax exemption for all hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap was issued. This tax exemption policy for tourism-related accommodation has been extended until March 2023 . In addition, on May 2022, the government launched 150 million USD of the Tourism Recovery Co-financing Scheme (TRCS), which comes from the RGC’s contribution of 75 million USD through the Small and Medium Enterprise Bank of Cambodia (SME Bank) and Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) contribution of 75 million USD. The enterprises in the tourism sector affected by the COVID-19 crisis can apply for loans from participating financial institutions that are partners of SME Bank at a concessional interest rate. 

The government has implemented the Roadmap for Recovery of Cambodia tourism during and post COVID-19 . The roadmap is a comprehensive guideline that aims to strengthen the tourism sector during the post-COVID-19, mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic, and promote Cambodia’s prestige and tourism as a safe destination for post-pandemic. The roadmap consists of three phases of recovery such as: 

• Phase 1: Crisis management in the new normal phase and planning for recovery (2020-2021)
• Phase 2: Recovery of the tourism sector in Cambodia in the post-COVID (2022-2023)
• Phase 3: Preparation for the new future of the tourism sector in Cambodia (2024-2025).

Challenge and way forward

Despite gaining a large number of international tourists each year, Cambodia’s tourism sector still has room for improvement and to capitalize on the potential. The kingdom heavily depends on Angkor Wat as the main tourist attraction has made the country’s tourism sector vulnerable to external shock. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a reality test for Cambodia’s tourism sector. The travel restrictions and border closure negatively affect all tourism-related businesses, especially in tourism-driven provinces such as Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk.

A limited selection of destinations is also a problem. Cambodia needs to diversify the tourism sector in order to keep the average length of tourists’ stay high. In 2018, the average length of stay of international tourists was seven days, one day shorter than in 1995. 35 The longer stay usually means more spending, thus generating more revenue for the sector. Diversifying the tourism sector to more than just temple tours will attract tourists to stay longer as it offers more options for tourists to explore. The government has recognized ecotourism as a solution to diversify the tourism industry. In addition, the Strategic framework and programs for economic recovery and to promote Cambodia’s economic growth in living with COVID-19 in the new normal for 2021-2023 has identify areas for tourism diversification such as the coastal areas, northeastern regions, and natural landscapes such as Tonle sap, Mekong, and Bassac river.

Another issue associated with Cambodia’s tourism is poor infrastructure and limited transportation . 36 Infrastructure and transportation in other areas besides popular international destinations are often poor quality and underdeveloped.  Roads, network connectivity, electricity, clean water, and sanitation in remote tourist sites can be unsatisfactory. 37 The establishment of the Master Plan for Siem Reap Tourism Development 2021-2035 , Master Plan for Mondulkiri Tourism Development 2021-2035 , the Phnom Penh-Sihanouk expressway, the new Siem Reap international airport are the government’s attempts to enhance and diversify the sector through infrastructure and connectivity development.

For 2023, Cambodia’s government has projected to receive four million international tourists, providing a positive aspect for a post-COVID-19 recovery in the tourism sector. 38 This could generate 4 billion USD in revenue for the country. 39

Related to Tourism

• Economy and commerce
• 1 . Peter Varga, “ Angkor Wat: The Impact of Mass Tourism, ” EHL insight, accessed January 2023.
• 2 . Khmer Times Staff, “ Chinese top tourist arrivals in 2019, ” Khmer Times, February 2020, accessed January 2023.
• 3 . Ministry of Tourism, “ Tourism Statistic Report December 2020 ,” December 2020, accessed January 2023.
• 5 . World Travel Tourism Council, “ 2022 Annual Research: key highlights, ” 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 6 . Economic Diplomacy Coordinating Group, “ Dashboard series about Cambodia ,” Ministry of Foreign Affair and International Cooperation, November 2021, accessed January 2023.
• 7 . Hin Pisei, “ International visitors top 2.2M in 2022, lifting 2023 hopes, ” The Phnom Penh Post, January 2023, accessed January 2023.
• 8 . Global Economy, “ Compare countries with annual data from official sources ,” accessed January 2023.
• 10 . Ministry of Tourism, “ Tourism Statistic Report February  2022 ,” February 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 12 . Asian Development Bank, “ Sector Assessment Summary: Tourism in Cambodia ,” Community-Based Tourism COVID-19 Recovery Project, January 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 13 . Economic Diplomacy Coordinating Group, “ Dashboard series about Cambodia ,” Ministry of Foreign Affair and International Cooperation, November 2021, accessed January 2023.
• 16 . UNESCO, “ UNESCO statement on a reported construction project near the World Heritage site of Angkor in Cambodia ,” February 2021, accessed January 2023.
• 17 . Khmer Times Staff, “ Cambodia’s famed Angkor sees more than 45,000 international tourists in first 5 months ,” Khmer Times, June 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 18 . United Nations World Tourism Organization, “ Ecotourism and protect areas, ” accessed January 2023.
• 19 . Phe Siphannara, “ Overview of community-based ecotourism for sustainable development in Cambodia ,” September 2019, accessed January 2023.
• 20 . OECD, “ Structural policy country note: Cambodia ,” Economic outlook for Southeast Asia, China India 2019: Towards smart urban transportation, December 2019, accessed January 2023.
• 21 . Post Staff, “ Hun Sen gives nod to creation of ecotourism task force ,” November 2017, accessed January 2023.
• 22 . Tin Sokhavuth, “ Gov’t orders formation of NCDCBE to boost tourism sector ,” October 2021, accessed January 2023.
• 23 . Phe Siphannara, “ Overview of community-based ecotourism for sustainable development in Cambodia ,” September 2019, accessed January 2023.
• 24 . Rawlins, et al, “ Enabling ecotourism development in Cambodia, ” World Bank, 2020, accessed January 2023.
• 25 . Sok Sithika, “ 307 small nature tourism projects approved in September, ” Khmer Times, October 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 26 . Khmer Times Staff, “Ministry identifies 131 potential ecotourism communities, ” Khmer Times, July 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 27 . Ministry of Environment, “ Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project, ” February 2020, accessed January 2023.
• 28 . Ngin Chanrith, “ COVID-19 and the Tourism sector in Cambodia: impact, response and the road to recovery, ” 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 30 . Ministry of Tourism, “ Roadmap for Recovery of Cambodia tourism during and post COVID-19,” 2021, accessed January 2023.
• 31 . World Travel Tourism Council, “ 2022 Annual Research: key highlights, ” 2022, accessed January 2023.
• 33 . Khmer Times Staff, “ 51,000 tourism-based jobs in Cambodia vapourised because of COVID-19 pandemic ,” Khmer Times, November 2020, accessed January 2023.
• 35 . Perter Varga, “ Angkor Wat: The Impact of Mass Tourism, ” EHL insight, accessed January 2023.
• 36 . George Styllis, “ Tourism slowdown threatens Cambodian model ,” July 2016, accessed January 2023.
• 38 . Khmer Times Staff, “ Four million international tourists expected by Cambodia this year after China’s pandemic strategy optimization ,” Khmer Times, January 2023, accessed January 2023.
• 39 . Chea Vanyuth, “ Cambodia expects tourism generating $4B in 2023 ,” Khmer Times, January 2023, accessed January 2023.

• Ask Question
• Report Problem
• Send Feedback
• Submit Resources

Do you have questions on the content published by Open Development Cambodia (ODC)? We will gladly help you.

Have you found a technical problem or issue on the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) website?

Do you have a new idea that could help transform the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) website? We will be glad to hear it.

Tell us how we're doing.

Do you have resources that could help expand the Open Development Cambodia (ODC) website? We will review any map data, laws, articles, and documents that we do not yet have and see if we can implement them into our site. Please make sure the resources are in the public domain or fall under a Creative Commons license.

Disclaimer: Open Development Cambodia (ODC) will thoroughly review all submitted resources for integrity and relevancy before the resources are hosted. All hosted resources will be in the public domain, or licensed under Creative Commons. We thank you for your support.

Thank you for taking the time to get in contact!

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Cookies Policy .

If you decline, your information won’t be tracked when you visit this website. A single cookie will be used in your browser to remember your preference not to be tracked.

Cambodia Tourism Revenue Growth

• Cambodia Tourism Revenue grew 117.9 % YoY in Dec 2023, compared with an increase of 669.0 % YoY in the previous year
• Cambodia Tourism Revenue Growth rate data is updated yearly, available from Dec 1996 to Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 669.0 % in Dec 2022 and a record low of -82.0 % in Dec 2021

View Cambodia's Tourism Revenue Growth from 1996 to 2023 in the chart:

What was Cambodia's Tourism Revenue Growth in 2023?

Cambodia Tourism Revenue grew 117.9 % YoY in Dec 2023, compared with an increase of 669.0 % YoY in the previous year See the table below for more data.

Tourism Revenue Growth by Country Comparison

Buy selected data, accurate macro & micro economic data you can trust.

Explore the most complete set of 6.6 million time series covering more than 200 economies, 20 industries and 18 macroeconomic sectors.

Cambodia Key Series

More indicators for cambodia, request a demo of ceic.

CEIC’s economic databases cover over 200 global markets. Our Platform offers the most reliable macroeconomic data and advanced analytical tools.

Explore our Data

As Cambodia launches $36.6bn building drive, China, Japan fight for spoils

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has unveiled a 174-project master plan that has attracted bids by rival powers.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia is pushing for an infrastructural renaissance, but it will need some help from its friends abroad to chip away at an estimated price tag of $36.6bn.

That was the final sum calculated by the Cambodian government and published earlier this year in a 174-project master plan that would overhaul the national transportation and logistics network within an ambitious timeframe of just a decade.

Keep reading

North macedonia’s opposition set for election wins, photos: student protests against israel’s war on gaza spread across europe, japan’s toyota posts record profit as bet on hybrids pays dividends, malaysian football on alert after spate of attacks on top players.

The goal to crisscross the kingdom with expressways, high-speed rail lines and other works fits closely with the state’s longstanding wish of becoming an upper-middle-income country in 2030 and a high-income nation by 2050.

Since the unopposed ascension last year of Prime Minister Hun Manet – the son of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the country’s leader of nearly 40 years – his new government of aspiring technocrats has pressed forward with the building campaign, beseeching foreign allies for closer ties and increased investment while assuring the public of big things to come.

“We shall not withdraw from setting our targets in building road and bridge infrastructure,” Hun Manet said at a February groundbreaking for a Phnom Penh bridge funded with a Chinese loan.

“Roads are like blood vessels to feed the organs wherever it goes … soon we will have the ability not only to just possess [material things] but also for Cambodians to build by themselves infrastructural marvels such as bridges, highways and subways.”

Cambodia has experienced more than two decades of rapid economic growth with some of the worst infrastructure in Southeast Asia, according to the World Bank’s logistics performance index.

With the bank predicting accelerating gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the years ahead, Cambodia’s already stretched transportation system could be strained to breaking point.

While the new prime minister looks to cement his own status after his father’s long rule, making progress on hard infrastructure will present a test for his governance as well as the traditional Cambodian balancing act of international relations.

Rolling out the master plan with a to-do list of projects large and small could present an opportunity to benefit from geopolitical rivalries as foreign partners jostle for influence – especially as competition intensifies between two of its largest benefactors, China and Japan.

“I think Cambodia’s government feels it is high time to maximise whatever they can get from the donors,” Chhengpor Aun, a research fellow at Future Forum, a Cambodian public policy think tank, told Al Jazeera.

“It’s logical that if an infrastructure project initiated by the Cambodian government is not accepted by a partner, they could still go to the other partner to fund it. It’s strategic and flexible in the way they play the big powers against themselves to try to extract benefits.”

The Cambodian government and private businesses do fund infrastructure projects in the kingdom, but China and Japan together account for much of that investment.

Both are also the only countries to hold Cambodia’s highest diplomatic designation of “comprehensive strategic partnership”, a status Japan gained just last year.

So far, China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has led the infrastructure charge with major projects such as the kingdom’s first expressway, which runs from the inland capital of Phnom Penh to the coastal city of Sihanoukville.

Meanwhile, Japan has kept its own steady agenda, focusing on a range of projects such as new wastewater treatment facilities and upgrades to existing roads.

Perhaps most notable is a Japanese-led expansion that could more than triple the capacity of the international deep sea port of Sihanoukville, the sole facility of its kind in Cambodia.

The bustling facility handles about 60 percent of the country’s import and export traffic and is increasingly congested after more than a decade of steady growth.

Under the oversight of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), crews at the port broke ground on the expansion late last year.

The planned three-part, decade-long project is included in the new master plan and has a total estimated cost of about $750m.

“Compared with Chinese [infrastructure] investment, the amount of Japanese investment is very limited,” Ryuichi Shibasaki, an associate professor and researcher of global logistics at the University of Tokyo who has studied Cambodia’s shipping industry, told Al Jazeera.

“We need to find niche markets since there is so much investment from China, to fill the gaps or adjust investment to a more broad viewpoint.”

In recent years, the BRI has tightened its focus.

Accusations of China ensnaring poorer countries in “debt traps” have caused Beijing to turn away from issuing large loans to countries to fund megaprojects – typically defined as those worth more than $1bn – in favour of a more investment-oriented tilt towards projects with good expected returns.

These are typically funded with “build-operate-transfer” agreements, in which the company overseeing the work takes on the expense of developing it in return for the revenues generated by the finished project over a predetermined period.

At the end of the agreement, which can span decades, ownership transfers to the government of the host country.

Key pieces of Cambodia’s big-picture vision will depend on that kind of financing.

‘Trying to be Cambodia’s best friend’

The kingdom’s master plan for infrastructure includes proposals for nine megaprojects worth an estimated total of more than $19.1bn.

While most of these are still being studied for feasibility, almost all have been touched at some point by JICA or the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a subsidiary of the state-owned giant China Communications Construction Company.

CRBC previously led the construction of Cambodia’s first expressway, which came online in late 2022 and has generally been hailed as a success.

The company broke ground last year on a second, $1.35bn expressway between Phnom Penh and Bavet, a city on the Vietnamese border, which is among the nine envisaged megaprojects.

It is joined by such works as another CRBC-studied expressway system that would link Phnom Penh to the major tourism hub of Siem Reap and the city of Poipet on the Thai border.

Split into two parts, construction of that road system is estimated at a total expense of $4bn. There is also an upgrade of one existing railway line to Poipet to accommodate high-speed trains for $1.93bn, plus another to Sihanoukville for $1.33bn.

The plan later calls for a light rail and subway system for the capital Phnom Penh and part of Siem Reap, all packaged together for an estimated $3.5bn.

Shipping projects also feature heavily in the plan.

The largest of these is a 180-kilometre-long, 100-metre-wide shipping canal to link the Mekong River system at Phnom Penh directly to the Gulf of Thailand. The $1.7bn channel would bypass the current, less convenient river shipping route that runs the length of the Mekong through Vietnam.

The canal is currently being studied by CRBC for its economic feasibility.

Though little detail has yet come out from that process and no company has signed an official deal to actually build the project, the Cambodian government has announced it will break ground by the end of this year.

The magnitude of the proposal, and the government’s urgency to make it a reality, has caught positive attention from the logistics industry while raising ecological concerns for its potential effects on the transboundary river system.

Poor communication with the public on the details has left residents along the proposed route confused and apprehensive of their ability to stay in their homes.

The canal itself is expected by the Mekong-focused think tank Stimson Center to negatively impact a key floodplain that spans important agricultural regions of Cambodia and Vietnam.

Hong Zhang, a China public policy postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center, said the momentum of the project could see it through regardless of the concerns.

“If the project has a very strong political backing, I don’t think environmental and social impacts would be in the way or prevent it from happening,” Zhang told Al Jazeera.

Zhang added that Cambodia’s relative political and macroeconomic stability – plus its government’s pro-China stance – has likely afforded it options that other countries would not necessarily get.

“Cambodia continues to be a relatively trouble-free market for Chinese engagement compared to many other countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka or even Laos,” she said.

“Even if [the canal] not going to be economically feasible but seems to have good value in terms of its public utility, a lot of externality, this kind of project will be quite legitimate for them to still go back to the old model of borrowing from China with concessional loans, building it and then the government pays back the loan.”

Even if not all the projects in the master plan come to pass, those in the national logistics and transportation industry see a lot to like.

Matthew Owen, the project development executive for the Phnom Penh office of the Singapore-based shipping agency Ben Line Integrated Logistics, said the plan has major potential, but its success will depend on Cambodia’s ability to simultaneously improve the value of its exports.

“I don’t think it’s ‘build it and they will come’, but I think [the government] is ahead of their time,” Owen told Al Jazeera. “Having everything there means they’re going to be able to draw more people in to invest and do business.”

The scramble for large-scale public works is matched with a drive for more private-sector engagement as well, according to Owen.

Owen said the new Cambodian government has been urging international investors from across Asia to get moving on projects initiated before last year’s political handover.

“Everybody’s got an influence, everybody’s got something to gain, and it balances the influence from China,” he said.

“It’s not even a competition, it’s like a pool of countries trying to be Cambodia’s best friend. Cambodia is open to whatever country that’s open to making Cambodia better – if they want to have their own competition of who can build the biggest bridge, go for it.”

• Philippines
• South Korea
• The Maldives
• Appointments
• Trade Calendar
• News Archive

• Print Edition

Middle East identifies cruise tourism as new growth vertical

As destinations in the Middle East look to grow tourist arrivals and promote intra-regional tourism, cruise tourism has been identified as one of the critical avenues to their goal. Destinations in the region are investing in infrastructure as well as collaboration to boost cruise demand.

“I think more people in the region need to be aware of cruising…that they can cruise in their own backyard and don’t need to fly six hours to the Mediterranean or 15 hours to Miami to be able to take a Caribbean cruise,” remarked Saud Hareb Almheiri, cruise tourism & yachting lead – Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at a session during the Arabian Travel Market 2024 last week.

“We have also created the Cruise Arabia Alliance recently as we want to maintain quality and service level in the region. We are looking to expand the alliance by bringing more partners on board,” he added.

The Cruise Arabia Alliance comprises Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman.

Aroya Cruises – operated by state-backed Cruise Saudi – is all set to embark on its maiden three-night/four-day voyage from Jeddah in December 2024. The company currently owns one ship and is looking to launch three ships in the next decade.

Turky Kari, executive director – marketing and corporate communications, Aroya Cruises, said: “At present we have three ports that can handle cruise liners (Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, and King Abdulaziz Port Dammam). All ports have very easy access to different destinations in Saudi, including UNESCO heritage sites and amazing beaches. We are targeting to have 10 cruise ports in Saudi by 2030. Today, we are handling around 170,000 cruise tourists and are aiming to reach 1.3 million passengers per year.”

Kari shared that the focused markets will not be restricted to domestic and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, but also the larger Arabian region.

“The Middle East is still not a hub for cruise liners, so one of our objectives is to attract more international cruise liners to the region,” said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development authority.

According to DET’s Almheiri, cruise tourism is going to play a big part in Dubai’s economic agenda, as the city in the United Arab Emirates looks to double its GDP by 2033.

“Activating our own regional market is very important to us, which we are looking to do in the near future, as well as looking eastwards towards Asia and trying to attract more Asian cruise liners,” added Almheiri.

Celebrate the art of Monet at Gardens by the Bay this July

A luxurious stay at the iconic Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

Discover the beauty of Thailand with industry-leading properties from ONYX Hospitality Group

Is Your Business Listed On TTGmice Planner Online?

DidaTravel announces strong sales growth across GCC markets ahead of ATM

Positive outlook for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts buoyed by APAC growth

Advertise with us

Future of Tourism: Digital Travel APAC 2023 Innovation Brief

RELATED ARTICLES

Norwegian sun opens 2025 asia-pacific season for sale, oceania cruises unveils 2025 mediterranean sailings, silversea prepares for silver ray’s debut in june, cruise terminals are part of the luxury cruise experience: design experts, royal caribbean offers glimpse into paradise, resorts world cruises commits to supporting malaysian businesses, talents, norwegian heads to asia with destination-rich itineraries, disney cruise line names first ship bound for south-east asia, oceania cruises unveils inaugural season sailings for allura, tried and tested.

21 Carpenter

Fun for the family at Conrad Centennial Singapore

What to buy now.

New hotels: Shangri-La Nanshan, JEN Kunming by Shangri-La, Six Senses Kyoto...

• TTG Travel Awards
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

All Rights Reserved

TBO Tek Makes Strong Stock Market Debut – India Report

Bulbul Dhawan , Skift

May 15th, 2024 at 11:00 PM EDT

The TBO Tek shares made a strong debut on the Indian stock exchanges. This indicates a positive investor sentiment towards the travel and tourism segment.

Bulbul Dhawan

The Skift India Newsletter is your go-to platform for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

Travel distribution platform TBO Tek made a strong debut on the Indian stock market on Wednesday. Its shares were listed at 50% premium over its IPO issue price on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in the morning and at 55% premium on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). 

The company reached its lowest point within the first hour of trading, but stabilized as the day progressed and closed at a premium of 53% on both exchanges. 

What we know about TBO’s business: TBO Tek received the regulator’s approval for its IPO three weeks ago. From the prospectus filed with Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) , Skift found that the company has two main revenue streams: B2B rates – special rates negotiated with suppliers and then offered to buyers after a markup; and commissions that TBO earns when suppliers set their own prices. 

The company has six verticals, and has international operations in the Middle East and Europe. 

Plans post IPO: The company is planning to invest some of the proceeds from the IPO towards strategic acquisitions and investments. TBO management will be undertaking the deployment of funds after taking into account factors such as timing, size, and the nature of acquisitions. 

“It’s important to always maintain a pipeline. However, acquisitions can be a huge hit and miss, so it’s very hard to say. But we are actively evaluating,” Gaurav Bhatnagar, co-founder and joint managing director of TBO told Skift in an interview.

A portion of the proceeds will also be used to support the growth of TBO’s overseas operations. 

IndiGo Planning to Buy 100 Small Planes

Budget carrier IndiGo is planning to purchase up to 100 small planes and is in discussions with manufacturers including ATR and Embraer, according to a PTI report . This comes after IndiGo placed its first-ever order for widebody aircraft with Airbus last month. 

The plan is to place an order for 50 aircraft, with the option to buy 50 more, the report cites sources as saying. IndiGo currently operates 45 ATRs in its fleet. 

The budget airline, which holds the largest market share in India, has been expanding its fleet in order to scale its operations. Last year, IndiGo placed the largest-ever single order in commercial aviation with 500 Airbus aircraft. It is planning to double its capacity over the next few years. 

Radisson Opens Mandrem Beach Resort in Goa

Radisson Hotel Group has opened Mandrem Beach Resort, a member of Radisson Individuals Retreats. This marks the group’s sixth property in the coastal state of Goa. With 41 keys, the property furthers Radisson’s strategy to cater to the demand for premium experiences across India’s hidden gems, said area senior vice president for South Asia Nikhil Sharma. 

The hotel chain currently has more than 165 operating and developing hotels in its portfolio. It has been accelerating its growth in India and signed 21 properties in 2023. The company currently has nine brands in India. 

It has been strategically focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities in the country for its growth, where more than half of its portfolio is located. 

Cambodia Angkor Air to Begin Direct Flights to India

Cambodia’s flag carrier Angkor Air is set to commence direct flights between Cambodia and India from June 16. The airline will operate four weekly flights between Delhi and Phnom Penh, a report by WION said. 

The move is aimed at enhancing the travel opportunities between the two countries, particularly promoting the rich spiritual heritage of Cambodia, the report cited Cambodian Ambassador Kuong Koy as saying. 

Skift India Report

The Skift India Report is your go-to newsletter for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: airlines , aviation industry , aviation news , cambodia , goa tourism , hotels , india , india travel , indigo , indigo airlines , IPOs , online travel agencies , online travel companies , radisson , radisson hotel group , skift india report , stock market , tourism

Photo credit: Listing of TBO Tek on National Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

Tourism has become a source of income and a point of pride for the people of Jalapão in Tocantins, Brazil

"Golden grass lifted us from extreme poverty," says Railane Ribeiro da Silva

Mariana Ceratti/World Bank

A tiny community in central Brazil has made a name for itself in tourism and design, all thanks to a native plant known as golden grass, which is used to craft accessories and decorative items. This natural resource now stands for both the earnings and the pride of Mumbuca's quilombola community in Tocantins, particularly for the Village's Association of Artisans and Extractors, who greet global visitors with music and tales.

"My golden grass, my golden grass that sprouted in the field unplanted

It was my beloved who said to me that the field's flower is my golden grass

It was Grandma Miúda who showed us how to weave

Golden grass with great affection

It was in Mumbuca that this craft began with much love”

"When you buy golden grass, you're not just purchasing a product; you're preserving a tradition that's over two centuries old and still standing strong," explains 28-year-old artisan Railane Ribeiro da Silva. "Golden grass lifted us from extreme poverty, which used to make us fearful of outsiders. If tourists came by, the locals would scatter," she adds.

Railane is the granddaughter of Grandma Miúda (Guilhermina Ribeiro da Silva, 1928-2010), who learned the art of braiding golden grass from her mother, an indigenous descendant, and passed on the skill to other women. Grandma Miúda played a crucial role in popularizing this craft nationwide and bringing progress to the region.

The World Bank joined this narrative by funding the golden grass supply chain through the Integrated and Sustainable Regional Development Project of Tocantins (PDRIS), carried out over nine years in partnership with the state government. This initiative poured $282 million into seven sectors: transportation, education, agriculture, the environment, tourism, water resources, and public management enhancement.

In tourism alone, $3 million was allocated for various projects. In Mumbuca, the project helped establish a modest museum, the Memorial House of Culture, where visitors can delve into Grandma Miúda's history, view golden grass cultivation and harvesting photos, and admire crafted items. "We managed to get cabinets, a printer, GPS, a fully equipped office," Railane rejoices.

The project also enabled sustainable harvesting training, attracting a new wave of artisans. "The training sessions made it easier to develop products from golden grass," remembers Fatima Amazonas, who co-managed the project for five years. "The women needed a proper place to sell their goods, as the previous setup was quite makeshift. They gained empowerment through sheer determination and joy," she continues.

Meanwhile, in Prata Community in São Félix do Tocantins, the project funded a plaza that's now a central hub for locals. Just four decades ago, this quilombola community was cut off from the world.

"We had no transportation back then. Our lives were very basic," teacher Osirene Francisca de Souza reminisces. "Electricity didn't arrive until the 2000s," she adds.

Now, with solar panels and internet access, the plaza symbolizes progress for Osirene. "It's even become a venue for school events," she notes. On weekends, the plaza is a lively spot where adults can unwind at food stalls while kids play in the playground.

Other project-supported initiatives include:

• The establishment of the Tocantins Tourism Observatory in partnership with local educational and commerce institutes for sector research and planning

• The creation of an adventure park in Cantão State Park with zip lines and acrobatic paths

• The formulation of a strategic plan to enhance sport fishing in several municipalities

• The commissioning of a bird-watching guide for Tocantins and training for bird guides

• The installation of tourist signs in the Serras Gerais region.

The tourism boom necessitated visitor-friendly infrastructure. At Tri Agro Farm, the gateway to Cachoeira da Velha, new restrooms and a rest area kiosk were constructed. Similarly, a shelter kiosk was built at the entrance to Jalapão State Park, famed for its dunes.

These enhancements have improved the visitor experience, as noted by 26-year-old advertiser Beatriz Fróes and 25-year-old food engineer Maria Julia Rossi from São Paulo. "The beauty, the cuisine, our guide, and the reasonable prices made our visit delightful," they commend. "Some services and signs could be better, but that's to be expected in an emerging tourist destination."

The charm and untouched nature of Jalapão also captivated Kàllyta Queiroz, 28, and Josias Rodrigues, 38, from Redenção in Pará. After a 500 km drive, they found the journey worthwhile. "We plan to bring our daughters when they're older," says Kàllyta, a mother of three. Traveling with young children is not advisable due to the lengthy dirt road drives.

For adults and youth alike, however, a trip to Jalapão promises an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, culture, and hospitality in a Brazilian region ripe for exploration.

This site uses cookies to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. If you continue to navigate this website beyond this page, cookies will be placed on your browser. To learn more about cookies, click here .

Canopy Sands Development Triumphs at Cambodia Real Estate Award 2024, Solidifying Leadership in Township Development

P HNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 May 2024 - Canopy Sands Development continues to establish itself as a leading force in the real estate industry by securing three prestigious awards - Township Development of the Year, Lifestyle Developer of the Year, and Development of the Year - at the Cambodia Real Estate Awards (CREA) 2024 for its premier project, the Bay of Lights. This marks the second consecutive year the project has been recognized, solidifying Canopy Sands Development's standing as a frontrunner in township development. Canopy Sands Development wins three prestigious awards at the 2024 Cambodia Real Estate Awards (CREA): Township Development of the Year, Lifestyle Developer of the Year, and Development of the Year Spanning 934 hectares, the Bay of Lights aims to transform Sihanoukville into a vibrant business and tourism hub, bringing substantial economic and social benefits. Recognized by a judging panel of leading real estate industry experts, these awards underscore the project's ongoing impact and vision. "This recognition didn't come overnight," said Jimmy He, spokesperson for Canopy Sands Development. "The awards are the culmination of our progress over the past two years, reflecting our strategic planning and reinforcing our vision for the future." Jimmy further added, "The Bay of Lights extends beyond the traditional concept of a city; it is a comprehensive urban ecosystem designed to foster a sustainable and enriched way of life. We are deeply honored by these awards that acknowledge our innovative vision, and we remain committed to spearheading developments that promise economically sustainable and vibrant urban living." The master plan for the Bay of Lights is built on visionary urban design principles aimed at creating a modern, efficient, and progressive township. This includes unique recreation and accommodation offerings, a safe and widely accessible infrastructure network, smart mobility, and sustainable waste, energy, and water management systems. This planning is also complemented by a comprehensive development strategy designed to attract international investors and tourists, thereby boosting Sihanoukville's tourism and local economy. This approach has not only stimulated immediate economic activity but also established long-term growth and enhanced the global relevance of Cambodia's market. Since its inception in 2019, the Bay of Lights has achieved significant milestones including the launch of the Summer Bay Beach Club & Cabins by Preference (now managed by Ascott Group), the groundbreaking of a premiere USGA-certified 18+1 hole waterfront golf course designed by the legendary Greg Norman, as well as the introduction of a one-stop leisure hub featuring Nitro Kart Circuit go-kart, Splash watersports, and Fly Max reverse bungee. As it progresses, the Bay of Lights project promises to transform Sihanoukville into a premier global destination, setting the standard for sustainable development and community building, making it a benchmark for innovative urban planning in Cambodia. Hashtag: #CanopySandsDevelopmentThe issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Canopy Sands DevelopmentCanopy Sands Development is a pioneering real estate development company, established in 2019 and headquartered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Led by a dynamic team of highly experienced professionals, both local and international, Canopy Sands Development is committed to laying the foundations that catalyze economic opportunities. With each project, it aims to create a significant economic, social, and educational impact, delivering sustainable and lasting benefits to Cambodian communities.

Bay of LightsBay of Lights is a pioneering development reshaping the skyline of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. With investment of USD 16 billion, this sprawling 934-hectare beachfront project has been meticulously master-planned to feature nine distinctive districts supporting the initiative's six core pillars: Financial Services, Tourism, Education, Entertainment & Lifestyle, Health & Wellness, as well as Art & Culture. Driven by a vision to create a world-class financial and tourism hub, Bay of Lights design encourages a sense of connectivity between diverse sectors and stimulating economic growth.