Latest news with #PacificAsiaTravelAssociation
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Cambodia records 50.7pc rise in tourist arrivals from China
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has reported a 50.7 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of Chinese tourists in the first half of 2025, said Xinhua, citing the Tourism Ministry's report released on Saturday. A total of 586,771 Chinese visitors travelled to the Southeast Asian country during the January to June period, it said. The number of Chinese tourists accounted for 17.4 per cent of the total 3.36 million international tourist arrivals to Cambodia in the first half of this year, it said, adding that China was the third-biggest source of foreign holidaymakers after Thailand and Vietnam. Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said the 50.7 per cent increase in Chinese visitors in the first half indicated strong and growing interest from China. "With the easing of travel restrictions and increased bilateral cooperation, I expect this trend to continue into the second half of the year," he told Xinhua. "The rising middle class in China, coupled with targeted marketing and expanded flight routes, should further boost Chinese arrivals. However, maintaining this growth will depend on sustained flight connectivity, visa facilitation and the appeal of Cambodia's tourism offerings to Chinese travellers." Bernama-Xinhua
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Cambodia records 50.7pct rise in Chinese tourist arrivals in 1H25
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has reported a 50.7-per-cent year-on-year increase in the number of Chinese tourists in the first half of 2025, Xinhua reported, citing the Ministry of Tourism's latest report released on Saturday. A total of 586,771 Chinese visitors travelled to the Southeast Asian country during the January to June period of this year, said the report. The number of Chinese tourists accounted for 17.4 per cent of the total 3.36 million international tourist arrivals to Cambodia in the first half of this year, it said, adding that China was the third-biggest source of foreign holidaymakers to the kingdom after Thailand and Vietnam. Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said the remarkable 50.7-per cent increase in Chinese visitors in the first half year indicated strong and growing interest from China. "With the easing of travel restrictions and increased bilateral cooperation, I expect this trend to continue into the second half of the year," he told Xinhua. "The rising middle class in China, coupled with targeted marketing and expanded flight routes, should further boost Chinese arrivals," Sinan said. "However, maintaining this growth will depend on sustained flight connectivity, visa facilitation, and the continued appeal of Cambodia's tourism offerings to Chinese travellers." He added that overall, Cambodia's tourism sector appears poised for positive growth in the second half of 2025, supported by both regional and global trends, provided that strategic efforts are maintained. Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy in addition to garment, footwear and travel goods export, agriculture, and construction and real estate.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
PATA Gold Award 2025 for Kerala Tourism
Kerala Tourism won the PATA Gold Award 2025 in the category of 'Most Engaging Social Media Campaign' for its meme-led makeover campaign. Organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the awards honour exceptional achievements in the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry. With a cross-platform roll-out across social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, the campaign generated a total reach of 1.2 million and over 89,700 engagements, while also driving user-generated content, influencer collaborations, and viral success through relatable, Kerala-rooted humour. By turning traditional promotion into a two-way conversation, it showcased Kerala's natural beauty and traditions and also set a new benchmark for interactive tourism marketing in the Asia-Pacific region. The award will be presented on August 27 at the PATA Gold Awards 2025 Gala Dinner on the sidelines of PATA Travel Mart at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Barnama
Stop Cambodian-Thai Conflict Before It Wipes Out Ancient Temples
Ta Krabey temple. Some of the ancient temples are exposed to danger as border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand rise. (Photo courtesy of Dr Thourn Sinan) The Preah Vihear temple is located in Preah Vihear Province where border territories are disputed by Cambodia and Thailand. (Photo courtesy of Dr Thourn Sinan By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, July 25 (Bernama) -- A leading tourism body is urging the international community to help protect Cambodia's priceless ancient temples amid the ongoing conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. The Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter Chairman, Dr Thourn Sinan, said destruction of the ancient temples would be a significant loss, not just to the Cambodian people, but to the world. bootstrap slideshow 'This is bigger than the borders. It's about human dignity and world heritage. Temples like Preah Vihear, Ta Moan, and Ta Krabey have stood for centuries. If they are destroyed, it is not just Cambodia's loss - it is the world's loss. 'These sites are not just Cambodia landmarks, they are recognised as part of the world's cultural heritage,' Sinan told Bernama today. The Preah Vihear temple is located in Preah Vihear province, while Ta Maon Temple and Ta Kra Bei Temple are located in Odor Meanchey province. These areas have become flash points for the two neighbours which have become adversaries over decades-long territorial disputes. Although tensions were sporadic in the past, on Thursday, the dispute turned ugly with heightened military engagement between the two nations at the borders. Sinan is urging the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), ASEAN, and the United Nations to protect the world heritage sites and stop the conflict before it becomes a conflagration.
The Star
01-07-2025
- The Star
Cross-border tourism suffers as Cambodia-Thai dispute drags
PHNOM PENH: Cross-border tourism between Cambodia and Thailand has dropped due to the ongoing diplomatic dispute between both countries. However, domestic travel near Preah Vihear province is thriving. The movement of people and goods across the border between the two countries has come to a grinding halt following the closure of border crossing points. Both governments have been engaged in an altercation following a May 28 skirmish between Cambodian and Thai troops. "Since the conflict, tourism exchanges with Thailand-both border crossings and air travel-have significantly declined, heavily impacting both sides. "However, on the Cambodian side, there has been a noticeable increase in travel activity, as many Cambodians visit disputed areas such as Preah Vihear Temple and other nearby sites. "This trend is also observed along other border regions, where local communities support frontline soldiers and their families,' Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter President Thourn Sinan told Bernama. Domestic tourism in areas such as Sra Em in Preah Vihear has increased, with Cambodians visiting to support troops and locals. Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in these areas are currently operating at full capacity on weekends, he said. Thailand-Cambodia diplomatic relations became hostile following the May 28 brief exchange of gunfire between soldiers of both countries stationed near the Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia. One Cambodian soldier died in the incident. The dispute, besides straining bilateral ties, also damaged trade activities in the border areas. Both countries share an 817-kilometre-long border. Sinan said Cambodia shares over 10 official checkpoints with Thailand along the border. However, only five of these are regularly used by international tourists. The remaining checkpoints mainly serve trade and local border movement. The busy Aranyaprathet-Poipet border checkpoint, an important route to the world-famous Angkor Wat, is also closed. Only patients seeking medical care and students continue to cross over to Thailand at present. There has been no interruption to air services. "Flights between both countries are still operating but Cambodian outbound travel to Thailand has plummeted by about 95 per cent due to safety concerns and growing anti-Cambodian sentiment in Thailand. "The overall stability of air travel is uncertain, as it depends on Thailand's internal political dynamics, which remain volatile,' he said. At the centre of the controversy are the territories where the ancient temples of Ta Muen Thom, Ta Muen Toch, and Ta Krabey are located, and the Emerald Triangle bordering Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. Cambodia has refused to hold bilateral talks to resolve the decades-long issue but instead referred the dispute to the International Court of Justice on June 15. - Bernama
