Latest news with #Cambodia-ChinaTourismYear2025
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cambodia sees 50% rise in Chinese tourist arrivals in Jan-May period
People sit in tourist boats sailing along the Mekong river in front of the Royal Palace on November 19, 2021. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. - AFP PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has recorded a 50 per cent increase in the number of Chinese tourists in the first five months of 2025, said the Ministry of Tourism's latest report released on Tuesday (July 1). A total of 488,973 Chinese visitors traveled to the South-East Asian country during the January-May period of this year, up 50 per cent from 326,003 over the same period last year. The number of Chinese tourists accounted for 16.6 per cent of the total 2.95 million international tourist arrivals to Cambodia, the report said, adding that China was the third-largest source of foreign holidaymakers to the kingdom after Thailand and Vietnam. "I firmly believe that the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 will surely become an important opportunity to attract more Chinese tourists to Cambodia and deepen tourism and cultural exchanges between the two countries," Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak said in a recent speech. Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said Chinese tourists are crucial for Cambodia's tourism industry. "The current cooperation between Cambodia and China in tourism is promising, with growing numbers of Chinese visitors contributing significantly to our economy," he told Xinhua. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy, in addition to garments, footwear and travel goods export, agriculture, and construction and real estate. - Xinhua
The Star
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tourism ministry shares details of Cambodia-China Tourism Year events
PHNOM PENH: In a bid to strengthen cultural and tourism ties between Cambodia and China, the Ministry of Tourism has laid out ambitious plans for the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025'. The initiative, a result of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Cambodia in mid-April, aims to attract a larger number of Chinese tourists and deepen bilateral relationship between the two nations. Chuk Chumno, director-general of Tourism Development and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism, confirmed the launch of this significant campaign. He shared details about the lineup of major events that will be organised as part of the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025'. The events will showcase the rich cultural heritage and tourism potential of both countries. 'These include an international music festival, an international street art festival, a mixed martial arts festival, food diplomacy promotion and the Cambodia-China International Tourism Conference, among others,' said Chumno. One of the highlights of this extensive programme is the tourism business matching forum, which is expected to facilitate deeper collaboration in the tourism sector. The initiative will also feature the exchange of tourism goodwill ambassadors and promote Cambodia-China film tourism through targeted activities, including a planned visit by a Chinese media delegation. Plans have also been laid out for an overland expedition from China which will culminate with a tour of the Kingdom, although details of the route were not available. Chumno elaborated on the planned international music festival, which will be held either in Siem Reap province or Phnom Penh. 'It will serve as a cultural exchange between the two countries, showcasing the diversity of our artistic traditions,' he said. In addition, a street art festival will feature a variety of performances, including traditional Cambodian Bassac theatre and Chinese opera, to engage audiences with both cultures. A unique element of this collaboration is the special performance planned between two iconic characters from both nations' folklore: the Monkey King Hanuman from Cambodia and the Monkey King Sun Wukong from China. 'We are curious to learn about the Chinese Monkey King and they are interested to know more about Hanuman,' Chumno explained, emphasising the shared cultural heritage. In addition to the arts, martial arts will also play a key role in the exchange. Cambodia and China both boast rich traditions in martial arts, including Cambodia's kun lbokator, yuthakun khom and Kun Khmer, and China's kung fu, Shaolin, and tai chi. These traditions will be highlighted throughout the year as part of the ongoing cultural dialogue. To further attract Chinese tourists, the tourism ministry has aligned these events with China's major holidays, such as the Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week. Tourism minister Huot Hak, the governor of China's Jiangsu province and other Chinese officials chose the third quarter of the year for the events to ensure that the Chinese public has the opportunity to explore Cambodia during their vacation period. A key aspect of the campaign will be food diplomacy, with both countries exchanging regional culinary delights. 'Cambodia will showcase its traditional dishes, including amok noodles, Khmer desserts and a variety of Khmer cakes,' said Chumno. China will present its eight regional dishes, providing a unique opportunity to celebrate and promote both cultures' food traditions. The cultural exchange and tourism collaboration was officially inaugurated at the Chaktomuk Conference Hall in Phnom Penh on May 23. The opening ceremony included a special art performance, 'The Beauty of Cambodia-Jiangsu', which was held from May 23-25. This event marked the beginning of a series of planned cultural showcases, strengthening the tourism links between the two nations. The event aims to build on the existing relationship between the two countries, which has seen a notable rise in tourist exchanges. In the first four months of 2025, Cambodia welcomed 380,000 Chinese visitors — a 48 per cent increase from the same period in 2024. Last year saw Cambodia welcome a total of 6,610,592 international tourists, including 848,952 from China, marking a 55 per cent rise compared to the previous year. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chinese tourist arrivals to Cambodia's iconic Angkor up 30 per cent in January-May period
China was the fourth largest source of international tourist arrivals to Angkor after the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. - PPP PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has reported a remarkable rise in the number of Chinese tourists to its famed Angkor Archaeological Park in the first five months of 2025, said an official report on Tuesday (June 3). A total of 43,193 Chinese visitors visited Angkor during the January-May period, up 30 per cent from 33,292 over the same period last year, said the state-owned Angkor Enterprise's report. China was the fourth largest source of international tourist arrivals to Angkor after the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, it added. According to the report, a total of 527,577 foreigners from 171 countries and regions toured the ancient park in the first five months of this year, generating a gross revenue of US$24.5 million from ticket sales. Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said that, with 2025 being designated as the Cambodia-China Tourism Year, a significant surge in Chinese tourist arrivals to the Angkor Archaeological Park is predicted. "This increase will likely be driven by enhanced bilateral cooperation, promotional campaigns, and greater accessibility through direct flights and group tour packages," he told Xinhua. Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said Chinese tourists have played a crucial role in Cambodia's tourism industry. "The Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 marks a significant step forward in revitalizing bilateral tourism and people-to-people exchanges," he told Xinhua. Located in northwest Siem Reap province, the 401-sq-km Angkor Archaeological Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in 1992, is the most popular tourist destination in the kingdom. The world heritage site is home to 91 ancient temples, which had been built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.- Xinhua
The Star
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Chinese, Cambodian artists on stage at Walking Street in Phnom Penh
PHNOM PENH: Chinese and Cambodian artists jointly performed at the pedestrianised Walking Street in Phnom Penh on Saturday evening (May 24), attracting crowds of spectators. Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin were among the crowds watching the show. During the one-hour performance, the artists entertained strollers along the riverside Sisowath Quay with a variety of performance arts, including traditional music, dance and acrobatics, among others. The cultural show was part of a three-day event to mark the official launch of Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025, which kicked off on Friday. Kun Srey Mol, a 25-year-old spectator, said the show not only promoted the tourism sector, but also deepened cultural ties and people-to-people bonds between Cambodia and China. "It's unique and fascinating, and I have never seen such a show before," she told Xinhua. "I really enjoyed this performance because they performed well, and their gestures synchronised with the music." Chhann Lyly, 25, said the joint cultural event has created a memorable experience for the audience. "I'm really happy to see it because it is really amazing," she told Xinhua. "I believe that the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 will bring more Chinese tourists and investors to Cambodia." - Xinhua
