Cambodia welcomed nearly two million foreign tourists during the first five months of 2015, a 4.4 percent increase from the same period last year, primarily hailing from Vietnam, China, the Republic of Korea, Laos and Thailand.

Vietnam topped the list with 400,000 tourists, up 15 ,5 percent compared to the same period last year, followed by China and RoK with 289,000 and 210,000 arrivals respectively.

Cambodian Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said the ministry has implemented several tourism promotion programmes abroad and hosted the world cultural tourism conference, helping to bring the country’s image to the world.

Tourism is one of Cambodia’s key economic sectors, which posts a stable growth of 15-20 percent and accounts for a major part in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In 2014 the country received 4.5 million foreign arrivals, an increase of seven percent compared to the previous year, and earned three billion USD from tourism. The Ministry of Tourism expects to welcome five million foreign arrivals by the end of 2015.

Cambodia is best known for its two world heritage sites, Angkor Watt in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear, though the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and the 500km coastline boasting endless untouched beaches also attract a large number of foreign tourists./.

VNF/VNA