Chinese Tourist: Treasure for Cambodia’s Tourism

Chinese Tourist: Treasure for Cambodia’s Tourism

Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 17 – Tourism is a prioritized sector that the world considers "green gold". Tourism sector has made a significant contribution to socio-economic development by creating employment opportunities and increasing income for the people directly and indirectly. In addition, tourism has boosted exports, supported economic growth, and increased national income. Tourism also contributes to poverty reduction, especially mitigating climate change, which is a global challenge.

Cambodia received USD 4.3 million in revenue in 2018 from tourism sector. Cambodia then received more than 6.2 million international tourists. Among those, Chinese tourists ranked the first with a total figure of 1.9 million, accounting for 30 percent.

In 2019, China remained on top of the list among the top 10 countries most visited Cambodia, reaching 2.5 million tourists, followed by Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, South Korea, the United States, Japan, Malaysia, France, and United Kingdom.

Two main factors driving the increased number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia annually are cultural and natural tourism, and investment tourism, according to Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon.

“Generally, the good-intention tourists visit Cambodia legally, as they would love to visit Angkor Wat Temple, to seek investments in Phnom Penh, to visit the Royal Palace as well as the National Museum. They also have a new trend, which is eco-tourism. Once they are familiar with the environment, they have contributed to environmental protection. When their money spent on community, the local people will benefit from it then they will work hard to protect the natural resources and culture of their community. We currently see the eco-tourism trend, not only at Angkor Wat, the coastal areas or in Phnom Penh,” stated Minister Thong Khon.

The number of Chinese tourists has not only increased in Cambodia but across the globe and that is because of the large number of Chinese population and their increased income. As predicted, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) estimated that at least 300 million among 1 billion Chinese are able to travel. For instance, in 2019, World Tourism Organization estimate that around 150 million Chinese in 2019.

Cambodia has attracted approximately two million Chinese tourists, out of a total of over 5.2 million international tourists within the 10-month period of 2019 from January to October 2019, an increase of 9.7 percent compared to the same period in 2018. The Tourism Ministry added that about 2.5 million Chinese tourists are expected to visit Cambodia in 2019.

This large figure has helped Cambodia create about 620,000 jobs directly and millions more indirectly. The tourism sector contributed 12.7 percent to Cambodia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018.

Generally, Chinese tourists prefers high quality goods. In line with the World Tourism Policy issued in 2013, every country shall adopt “China Ready” policy to attract more Chinese tourists and this policy covers service from airport to hospitality.

The receptionist must be able to speak Chinese and English and fill in every types of forms other than the native language of each country.

“Chinese tourists spend a great deal and they also need quality and great customer services. If you want to get more Chinese tourists, you have to provide good hospitality and efficient service to Chinese tourists due to its big tourist market. This does not mean that we did not put efforts in other markets, and our policy is to attract tourists from all corners, not just China. It is just that China has big market and we have to ensure Chinese tourists are happy and they spend money in our country,” said Tourism Minister Thong Khon.

According to the minister, tourism sector apart from generating national income each year, tourism has three negative impacts to the world, including drug, crime, and sex trafficking. But what Cambodia can do is strengthening the Kingdom’s existing laws and her Code of Conduct for the tourists visiting Cambodia.

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