More direct links fuelling Cambodia's visitor growth

Travellers at Siem Reap International Airport

Cambodia’s increasing air connectivity is the key driver accounting for the South-east Asian nation’s continued tourism growth, according to local tour operators.

The latest figures from Cambodia Airports (CA) show a five per cent year-on-year increase in international visitors landing at the country’s three international airports between January and June with more than 3.4 million passing through Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh airports.

Phnom Penh International Airport saw the largest increase of 10 per cent.

“Cambodia is increasingly connected with the rest of the world with the country’s three international airports opening the country up to the growing middle-class of neighbouring Asian countries as well as to the rest of the world,” said Jo Crisp, general manager of Peak Cambodia DMC.

This year has seen a raft of direct flights launched, including between Sihanoukville and China, and Sihanoukville and Vietnam.

Amy McLoughlin, co-founder of Ayana Journeys, said: “Increased accessibility to the country that is both affordable and more direct is encouraging visitors tight on time seeking to get to the heart of the destination as quickly as possible.”

In addition to more connections, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports recently underwent a US$100 million upgrading programme to expand terminals and double capacity to five million passengers each.

Marissa Carruthers, Phnom Penh, July 27, 2016