Tourism key contributor to Cambodia's economic growth in last 30 years: PM

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Friday that the tourism sector has been one of the major contributors to the kingdom's economic growth in the last 30 years.

In a message to mark World Tourism Day, which is observed annually on Sept. 27, Hun Manet said the continued growth of the tourism sector is an important foundation that has contributed to boosting the macroeconomic and development of all sectors.

"With peace, political stability, security and good social order, Cambodia continues to be a safe tourist destination, providing attractive investment and trade opportunities in the Asian region," he said.

The prime minister said Cambodia received 6.7 million international tourists in 2024, up 22.9 percent from 5.45 million in the previous year.

He said the tourism sector made gross revenue of 3.63 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 17.8 percent year-on-year.

He added that the sector accounted for 9.4 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) last year and generated approximately 510,000 jobs.

According to Hun Manet, the kingdom received a total of 4.05 million international tourists in the first eight months of 2025.

"I remain optimistic that the tourism sector will continue to be an important economic priority sector, creating jobs, increasing income for people, and contributing to cultural preservation and the protection of the environment and natural resources with efficiency and high responsibility," he said.

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy alongside agriculture, garment, footwear and travel goods exports, and construction and real estate.

The country has four world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in northwest Siem Reap province, the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in central Kampong Thom province, and the Temple of Preah Vihear and the Koh Ker archaeological site in northwest Preah Vihear province.

Besides, it has a pristine coastline stretching for about 450 km in four southwest provinces of Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong. Enditem