A statistical report released by Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism on September 3 showed that Cambodia received 1.9978 million international tourists from January to July this year, a decrease of more than 46% compared with the same period last year. China was Cambodia's largest source of tourists in the first seven months of this year.

Statistics show that in the first seven months of this year, Cambodia received 520,000 Chinese tourists, accounting for 26% of the total number of international tourists visiting Cambodia during the same period. Vietnam received 514,900 tourists, accounting for approximately 25.8%, making it Cambodia's second-largest source of tourists; the United States received 119,000 tourists, accounting for approximately 6%, ranking third.

Affected by the situation on the Cambodia-Thailand border, from January to July this year, the number of Thai tourists visiting Cambodia plummeted from 946,000 in the same period last year to just over 40,000, a year-on-year decrease of 95.7%.

Siem Reap is Cambodia's most iconic tourist destination. Data released by the official management body, the Angkor Authority, on September 1 showed that from January to August this year, Angkor Wat received a total of 474,000 international tourists, a decrease of 29% year-on-year; ticket revenue was US$22.546 million, a decrease of 27.4% year-on-year.

In response to the current challenges facing the tourism economy, the Cambodian government continues to combat transnational crimes such as telecommunications and internet fraud, and is committed to improving the country's tourism image. Through a series of measures, including promoting structural reforms, exploring new source markets, developing diversified tourism products, expanding international direct flights, deepening regional tourism connectivity, and promoting the integration of the film and television industry with the tourism industry, the government aims to attract more international tourists.

On September 2, Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism launched a 24-hour inter-departmental emergency hotline to further improve tourist safety mechanisms. At the same time, authorities are accelerating the development of a new round of tourism development strategies for Siem Reap, aiming to attract 2 million international tourists and 3 million domestic tourists by 2028, thus revitalizing the local tourism industry. (Source: China News Network)