Tourism minister Huot Hak (centre) participates in the GX Foundation Khmer Cuisine Charity Dinner. Tourism ministry
Cambodia is optimistic about increasing the number of Chinese tourists and investors, particularly from Hong Kong and Macau, following fruitful discussions during the "GX Foundation Khmer Cuisine Charity Dinner".
The event, held in Hong Kong from December 3-4, was organised to showcase Khmer cuisine and the country’s tourism. It also raised funds for humanitarian initiatives, including the "Project for Health Protection Against Dengue Fever" in Kampong Speu province and other charitable causes.
The dinner brought together prominent figures such as tourism minister Huot Hak; Leung Chun-ying, chairman of the GX Foundation board of governors; Li Yongsheng, deputy commissioner of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong; the Cambodian Consul General in Hong Kong; and representatives from GX Foundation in Cambodia.
Attendees also included officials from Hong Kong and Macau, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, business leaders and over 300 participants from airlines, cruise companies and tourism operators in the region.
Hak emphasised the country’s strong tourism, socio-economic growth and favourable investment climate. He urged Chinese stakeholders to encourage increased travel and investment in Cambodia.
"I urge Chinese leadership, relevant stakeholders and media outlets to extensively promote Cambodia's rich tourism and facilitate more tour packages to Cambodia, and the tourism ministry will provide full support to ensure smooth operations," he said.
During their visit, the Cambodian delegation met with key officials and business leaders, including Hong Kong's deputy secretary for culture, sports and tourism, the chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and representatives from Macau's tourism office. They also engaged with executives from leading companies such as China Southern Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Goldjoy Travel Ltd, Wing On Travel Service Ltd, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Disney Hong Kong.
The ministry reported significant interest from these agencies and companies, with many expressing plans to explore the country’s investment opportunities and develop new tour packages for their clients.
Anheng Sokpheak, president of the Cambodia Chinese Tour Guide Association, has highlighted the gradual recovery of Chinese tourist arrivals in Cambodia after a sharp decline in early 2020 caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that while the number of Chinese visitors has increased, it has yet to return to pre-2020 levels.
Sokpheak noted that Chinese tourists are now staying longer than before, a trend driven by a reduction in direct flights between Chinese cities and Cambodia compared to the pre-pandemic period.
"Chinese tourists are considered a key segment for Cambodia's tourism sector. Strengthening cooperation, promoting Cambodia as a destination and increasing the number of direct flights from major Chinese cities to Cambodia will undoubtedly help attract more Chinese tourists to the country," he said.
Sokpheak added that Chinese tourists typically spend five to eight days in Cambodia, with their main destinations being Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces and Phnom Penh.
Ministry data reveals that the country welcomed 5.37 million international tourists between January and October this year, a 22% increase from 4.41 million in the same period of 2023. Of these, 691,874 were Chinese, including visitors from Hong Kong and Macau, representing a nearly 53% increase compared to the previous year.
In 2019, Cambodia recorded a total of 6.61 million international tourist arrivals, a 6.6% increase compared to 2018. Among them, 2.36 million were Chinese, marking a 16.7% growth that year.
