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Despite an increase in arrivals from other countries, the number of overall visitors has dropped, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said.
“There are many passengers travelling via Hanoi, Japan and Korea, but not as many as we had coming from Bangkok,” he said.
“Cambodia wants Thailand to return to normal. If [the situation in] Bangkok continues to deteriorate, it will impact our tourism sector,” he said.
Thong Khon urged tourism operators to continue marketing Cambodia as a safe travel destination.
Tes Chhaya, a tour guide in Siem Reap, said the crisis in Bangkok has taken a toll on local businesses, including hotels, tourism packages and taxis.
“At this time last year, I would have bookings for nearly 15 days out of every month. Now, we are getting only about five days of bookings per month,” he said, adding that his profits have dropped more than 50 percent.
Independent economist Sok Sina said the political turmoil, as well as the global financial crisis, has affected Cambodia’s tourism sector this year, making it unlikely to achieve the growth projected by the government.
“Cambodia will not likely reach its target of two million visitors this year,” he said, adding that a drop in visitors to Siem Reap would also hurt local farmers who supply produce and meat to area hotels.
Despite an increase in arrivals from other countries, the number of overall visitors has dropped, Thong Khon said.
“There are many passengers travelling via Hanoi, Japan and Korea, but not as many as we had coming from Bangkok,” he said.
“Cambodia wants Thailand to return to normal. If [the situation in] Bangkok continues to deteriorate, it will impact our tourism sector,” he said.
Thong Khon urged tourism operators to continue marketing Cambodia as a safe travel destination.
Tes Chhaya, a tour guide in Siem Reap, said the crisis in Bangkok has taken a toll on local businesses, including hotels, tourism packages and taxis.
“At this time last year, I would have bookings for nearly 15 days out of every month. Now, we are getting only about five days of bookings per month,” he said, adding that his profits have dropped more than 50 percent.
Independent economist Sok Sina said the political turmoil, as well as the global financial crisis, has affected Cambodia’s tourism sector this year, making it unlikely to achieve the growth projected by the government.
“Cambodia will not likely reach its target of two million visitors this year,” he said, adding that a drop in visitors to Siem Reap would also hurt local farmers who supply produce and meat to area hotels.