The number of Cambodian travel and tourism companies increased over the previous 12 months despite pressure on the industry from the global financial crisis, Ministry of Tourism statistics revealed Wednesday. The ministry’s statistics showed some 47 new companies received licences to operate and 32 tourism businesses closed over the year up to May 13. A total of 374 travel and tourism companies were registered with the ministry. A representative of Sovath Travel and Tour in Siem Reap province, which went bankrupt two months ago, said that their closure was due in part to the impact of the global crisis, but also to turmoil in Thailand. New entrants, such as Shui Mui, owner of Elephant Walk Tour, said the Kingdom’s untapped potential means that tourism has room to grow.