Vendors, taxi drivers in Cambodia's tourist hub keen to see more Chinese tourists

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia attracted a total of 538,834 Chinese tourists during the January-August period of this year, up 47.7 percent.

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- As Cambodia's tourism recovery has gained steam, gift shop assistant Chea Rina is eager to see a massive comeback of Chinese tourists to the Southeast Asian country.

Selling a wide range of souvenirs such as clothes, handbags, cosmetics, liquor, paintings and sculptures at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in Cambodia's northwestern Siem Reap province, Rina said the presence of Chinese holidaymakers is crucial to boosting Cambodia's tourism industry and improving the livelihoods of locals.

"I desire to see more Chinese tourists coming to Cambodia because this will help boost Cambodia's economy," she told Xinhua on Wednesday.

"Chinese tourists like buying local brand products such as paintings, small sculptures, and silk scarves, among others, and usually, they buy a lot of gifts," she added.

Rina appealed for Chinese tourists to come and visit Siem Reap province, which is home to the UNESCO-listed heritage site of the Angkor Archaeological Park.

"My most recommended site for tourists is the Angkor Wat temple, which is magnificent during sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening," the 27-year-old shop assistant said.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia attracted a total of 538,834 Chinese tourists during the January-August period of this year, up 47.7 percent. Of the number, 50,431 visited the centuries-old Angkor park.

The number remained quite low compared to a total of 2.36 million Chinese visitor arrivals to the Southeast Asian country in the pre-pandemic era in 2019.

Heng Sreyleap, a souvenir vendor at the Angkor Wat temple, too longs for an influx of Chinese tourists, especially to the Angkor park, noting Chinese visitors are big spenders for souvenirs.

"The more they come, the more income local people will make from selling things to them," she told Xinhua on Thursday.

The 24-year-old vendor said that in Siem Reap province, tourists can do a lot of sightseeing, recommending the Angkor Wat temple, Bayon temple, Ta Prohm temple and Banteay Srei temple, among others.

"Cambodia is full of peace and security for tourists, particularly in Siem Reap province. Tourists rarely lose any belongings," she said.

Leng Sok Chhay, a taxi driver at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, said as a taxi driver, he is eager to see either Chinese or other foreign tourists coming to Siem Reap province.

"We have many popular tourist attractions for Chinese tourists, such as the Angkor Wat temple, Beng Mealea temple, and Banteay Srei temple, among others," the 47-year-old driver told Xinhua.

"I would like to call on Chinese tourists to come and visit the Angkor Wat temple and other sites in Cambodia," he said.

Prom Malai, a 43-year-old taxi van driver at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, said Chinese holidaymakers were the main source of his income in the pre-pandemic era.

"I'm really keen to see more Chinese tourists because the more they come, the more job opportunities will be created for taxi drivers and people in Siem Reap province," he told Xinhua.

Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said the Chinese tourist market has played a pivotal role in Cambodia's economic landscape, significantly boosting local businesses and creating enormous job opportunities.

"With its stunning temples, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, Cambodia has become a favored destination for Chinese travelers seeking both adventure and cultural immersion," he told Xinhua. "To attract more Chinese holidaymakers, Cambodia needs to enhance digital marketing strategies on popular Chinese platforms like WeChat and Weibo."

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy, in addition to garment export, agriculture, and construction and real estate. ■