4.59 Million Travelers Celebrate Cambodian New Year Holiday

Cambodia celebrated its three-day traditional New Year, known as the Songkran festival, with an impressive turnout of 4.59 million visitors. This notable event occurred from April 14 to April 16, marking a significant recovery in tourism as reported by Tourism Minister Thong Khon on April 17.

Among the total number of travelers, 28,849 were foreign tourists, indicating a healthy influx of international visitors eager to partake in the festivities.

Khon highlighted that the vibrant tourist destinations across the nation have reopened and successfully attracted large crowds. This year's New Year holiday figures closely resemble pre-COVID-19 levels, where 4.72 million tourists were recorded during the 2019 celebrations.

To ensure a safe environment for all, security, safety, and public order were maintained during the holiday period. Key tourist locations such as the cultural heartland of Siem Reap, the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, and the picturesque coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep emerged as the most frequented sites.

Emphasizing the role of vaccinations in restoring tourist confidence, Khon stated that the effective rollout of vaccines allowed citizens to travel freely to various attractions across the nation during the festive season.

After two years of cancellations due to the pandemic, the Songkran festival was able to return with vigor, attracting immense enthusiasm from locals and visitors alike.

On April 16, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen acknowledged the importance of the celebrations held in villages, pagodas, schools, public venues, and popular tourist spots throughout the country.

Hun Sen attributed the successful celebrations to the high vaccination rates and lasting peace achieved in the country over the past 24 years, highlighting that such conditions have enabled open travel opportunities.

Moreover, Cambodia's full resumption of socio-economic activities and the reopening of its borders to vaccinated travelers without quarantine since November is a pivotal step toward recovery, following the widespread vaccination of its population against COVID-19.