Cambodia: Booming Tourist Arrivals January 2012.

Cambodia welcomed 350,257 international tourists during January, representing a double digit growth of 27.6%.

Tourist arrival in January 2012

The country expects arrivals to reach 3.2 million this year, based on a moderate projection of around 10% increase over 2.9 million visits recorded in 2011. Meanwhile, arrivals were up 14.9% compared 2010 and 2011. Tourism revenue should rise 10.5% to US$2.1 billion from US$1.9 billion last year.

Average stay: 6.5 days.

In 2011, the average length of stay was 6.5 days and hotel occupancy rates averaged 66.15%. In January, 53% (185,499) of all international visitors arrived by air. Siem Reap took the greater share, 34.1% (119,543), while Phnom Penh Airport received 18.8% (65,956).

Phnom Penh underrated?

The trend irks tourism officials who believe the capital is under rated as a tourist destination and should do better. They argue the city’s riverside boulevard is a signature attraction in the Mekong Region countries. But over commercialization, beggars and children recruited to play on the sympathies of tourists are the downsides.

Overland Travel.

Overland travel accounted for 43.8% (153,385) and a small amount of 3.2% (11,373) traveled by sea. Siem Reap welcomed 224,145 tourists, or 64% of the total and an increase of 34.7%.

Vietnam top supplier.

The top international travel supplier, was neighboring Vietnam with 58,940 tourists, a surge of 55.6% followed by Korea supplying 55,871,  %. Arrivals from China (3rd place), Russia (4th place) and Laos (8th place) skyrocketed at 61.4%, 61.4% and 73.8% respectively. Arrivals from Thailand grew by just 2.9% with the market in 9th place. Among key markets, only Japan showed a decline of 0.3%.

Outgoing tourism 50 % up.