Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Souvenir vendors and transportation service providers in northwest Cambodia’s Siem Reap province are expressing optimism about the potential increase in Chinese tourist arrivals. They believe that the influx of these visitors is crucial for revitalizing the local tourism industry. Eak Vantha, a 40-year-old souvenir vendor at the Old Market in Siem Reap town, shared that Chinese holidaymakers are known for being generous spenders when it comes to purchasing souvenirs such as copper-made crafts, jewelry, clothes, hats, glasses, and handbags.
Vantha expressed her desire to see a significant number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia. She mentioned that increased tourist arrivals would directly enhance sales, as Chinese tourists have a penchant for buying a variety of souvenirs. According to her, there has been a gradual rise in the number of international tourists, including Chinese ones, to Siem Reap since the launch of the Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in November 2023.
The new airport, Vantha noted, is likely to attract more tourists due to its larger and more modern facilities compared to the old airport. She is optimistic that the 2024 Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year will further boost the influx of Chinese tourists to Cambodia, particularly to Siem Reap province. Siem Reap is renowned for the 401-square-kilometer Angkor Archaeological Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.
This park houses 91 .