VISITORS to the Kingdom’s two international airports have increased 13 percent in the first six months compared year on year, according to Cambodia Airport statistics obtained yesterday.

Key growth came from countries including Vietnam, South Korea, China, the USA, and Japan, officials said.

Ministry of Tourism Director of Statistics and Tourism Information Department Kong Sophearak said yesterday he welcomed the rising numbers, crediting government attempts to attract visitors as causing the increase.

“Cambodia has an open sky policy where we welcome visitors from every country,” he said.

The statistics show Phnom Penh International Airports received 445,225 arrivals from January to June this year, a 9.9 percent increase on the same period in 2010.

Siem Reap International Airport recorded a 15.6 percent increase in the period to 444,602 visitors during the six-month period, the statistics show.

Some 30,726 and 36,987 people arrived on domestic flights in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh respectively in the first half of 2011, with the rest international arrivals.

The Tourism Ministry has previously forecasted 2.73 million visitors for 2011, and expects revenue from the sector to total $1.91 billion.