Cambodia sees record number of tourists during traditional New Year holiday
Cambodia recorded almost 22 million domestic and international visitors travelling to different tourist destinations nationwide during the four-day traditional New Year holiday, from April 13 to 16.
People in Koh Kong province of Cambodia at a water splashing event, a traditional New Year celebrating activity in Cambodia. (Photo: AKP/VNA)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia recorded almost 22 milliondomestic and international visitors travelling to different touristdestinations nationwide during the four-day traditional New Year holiday, fromApril 13 to 16.
A report released on April 17afternoon showed that there were 21.7 million national tourists and localpeople, along with some 110,000 foreign visitors.
Kampong Cham province took the lead by receiving more than 5.3million tourists, followed by Prey Veng province with nearly 2.3 million.
Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism Top Sopheak saidthe number of tourists during the four-day holiday is much more than expectedand even higher than the pre-COVID-19 period.
He attributed the unprecedented number of visitors during theNew Year Festival to celebratory events and diverse entertainment programmesacross the country.
The domestic tourist movement during the long holiday hascreated huge economic benefits for the economy, particularly for local peopleand businesses, the official added.
Cambodia recorded over 13 million local and foreign visitors duringthe three days (April 14-16) of the traditional New Year holiday last year./.
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