Siem Reap’s Tourism Industry: A Bright Future with New Airport and Diverse Offerings

Siem Reap, known for the iconic Angkor Wat, is poised for a strong resurgence with the upcoming inauguration of the Siem-Reap – Angkok International Airport on October 16, 2023. While the pandemic temporarily impacted this heritage tourism hub, recent developments indicate a remarkable recovery. According to the newly released  C9 Hotelworks Horwath HTL Hotel and Branded Residences Report 2023, the destination saw a significant decline in visitors due to travel restrictions and health concerns, but with restrictions easing, the tide is turning.

In 2022, Siem Reap welcomed a staggering 602% increase in visitors compared to 2021, reaching a total of 2.69 million tourists, with international tourism expenditure surpassing domestic spending. The resurgence brought the industry back to over half of its 2019 performance. A notable shift in the tourist demographic occurred, with the United States, South Korea, United Kingdom, and France becoming key players in the absence of the once-dominant Chinese market.

The future looks promising, with the new airport expanding annual passenger capacity to 7 million and a comprehensive government strategy focusing on six tourism zones and diverse offerings like MICE tourism, agro-tourism, sports tourism, health tourism, green tourism, as well as cultural, heritage, and religious tourism products. This comprehensive approach sets the stage for a positive and vibrant long-term outlook for Siem Reap’s tourism industry.

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