PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is hoping that Chinese tourists will drive its tourism growth when the world is cleared of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said on Saturday .However, he was optimistic that Chinese tourists would support the kingdom's tourism growth when the coronavirus is over.
China has become the largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia since 2017. Cambodia's tourism industry, which amounted to US$4.92 billion, is currently being hit hardest by the ravaging pandemic. Secretary of state and spokesman of the Tourism Ministry Top Sopheak said,"Before COVID-19, the Angkor archeological park in Siem Reap province received up to 9,000 foreign tourists a day, but now, it gets only 20 per day and those are foreigners living and working in Cambodia."
Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents , said all tour and travel companies across the kingdom have suspended their businesses during the pandemic, affecting more than 30,000 employees.