Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism reports that six million foreign visitors came to the country between January and November 2024.

This marks a 22 percent increase from the 4.92 million seen in November 2023.

Thai nationals made up 1.91 million of the total, showing a 15.4 percent increase and representing a 31.9 percent market share. 

On the other hand, Vietnamese nationals totalled 1.2 million visitors, marking a 30.8 percent increase and a 20.1 percent market share.

Chinese tourists ranked third, with 769,775 arrivals, followed by visitors from Laos at 306,948, and the US at 190,856. 

Other notable source markets included South Korea, Indonesia, France, the UK, and Japan.

Shared borders

According to Khmer Angkor Tour Guide Association (KATGA) president Khiev Thy, the higher numbers of Thai and Vietnamese tourists are largely due to the country’s shared land and water borders with these countries. 

Thy, however, noted that most Thai and Vietnamese visitors travel for business activities, particularly in border provinces, rather than leisure visits to cultural or historical sites like the Angkor temples.

He said: “International tourists who visit cultural and historical sites, especially the Angkor temples in Siem Reap, are mostly from Europe, the US, China and Japan. Vietnamese and Thai tourists are relatively few.”

There was also a noticeable increase in Chinese tourists visiting Siem Reap this year, but their numbers remain well below pre-pandemic levels.

Angkor Enterprise also reported that 898,339 international tourists purchased tickets to visit Angkor Archaeological Park between January and November 2024, generating $41.91 million in revenue. 

This marked a 28.33% increase in ticket sales and a 28.76 percent rise in revenue compared to the same period in 2023, when 699,996 foreign tourists purchased tickets, generating $32.45 million.