The Number of European Tourists Declines in Siem Reap, but the Number of Asian and Local Tourists Increases – Monday, 27.7.2009

Posted on 28 July 2009
The Mirror, Vol. 13, No. 623
http://cambodiamirror.wordpress.com/

“Siem Reap: Tourism companies serving tourists in Siem Reap, and especially tourism agencies aiming at tourists from Europe, are deeply concerned and might go bankrupt, because the number of European tourists dramatically dropped in 2009.

“However, the Siem Reap Tourism Department shows in its report that even though the number of European tourist decreased heavily, the number of Asian tourists, and especially also local tourists, rose significantly. Therefore, there is nothing to worry.

“A tourist guide who asked not to be named, who works at Indochina Tourism, a well-know tourism company, said that early in 2009, the number European tourists declined, and if compared to 2008, it declined by about 40%. This guide added that in 2008, during the rainy season, they could guide four to five groups of tourists per month, but in 2009, there were at the most only two groups.

“According to this guide, the decline in the number of European tourists might result from two factors: the global economic crisis, and the rainy season. However, this guide is not totally hopeless, as in mid-October there normally comes the season of many tourists.

“Despite such a situation, the Ministry of Tourism tries its best to find strategies to attract tourists, such as local and international tourists.

“According to the first six months’ report of 2009 of the Siem Reap Tourism Department, within the first six months of 2009, 1,195,259 tourists came to Siem Reap. This number dropped by 0.65% compared to the same period in 2008, where there had been 1,203,190 tourists.

“The report says that there were 503,028 foreign tourists. Thus, their number declined by 13.9% compared to 2008, when there had been 578,794 tourists, while the number of local tourists was 692,267, which increased by 10.86% compared to 2008 with 624,369 tourists. The number of Vietnamese tourists, however, rose significantly.

“The report adds that so far, there have been 116 hotels with 8,649 rooms, and 222 guesthouses with 2,912 rooms; 115 restaurants; 35 massage parlors where 3 are not licensed; 15 karaoke parlors where 7 are not licensed; and 140 tourism agencies. As for transportation services, there are 231 taxis, an association of 94 moto-taxis, an association of 217 boats, and 31 companies offering recreational and entertainment services.”

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.8, #2006, 26-27.7.2009
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 27 July 2009