PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has once again been elected with the prestigious title of Asia's Leading Cultural Destination by the World Travel Awards in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

“This remarkable achievement further reaffirms our destination appeal as an absolute must-visit for all avid cultural enthusiasts,” the ministry underlined this morning.

Cambodia won the prestigious award for two consecutive years. Besides, the Kingdom was also named Asia's Leading Youth Travel Destination in 2022 and 2023 by the World Travel Awards.

“In a dazzling display of its growing appeal as a top travel destination, Cambodia secured two prestigious awards at the World Travel Awards 2023. The country, with its rich cultural heritage and youthful vibrancy, emerged as the winner in two significant categories: ‘Asia's Leading Cultural Destination' and ‘Asia's Leading Youth Travel Destination',” commented the World Travel Awards' website.

Last year, Cambodia received 5.45 million international tourists, up 140 percent from 2.27 million a year earlier, pointed out a report of the Ministry of Tourism, adding that Thailand topped the chart among foreign arrivals to the Kingdom with 1.82 million, followed by Vietnam (1.01 million), China (547,789), Laos (372,285) and the United States (184,780).

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. The country has four world heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap northwestern province, the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in Kampong Thom central province, and the Temple of Preah Vihear and the Koh Ker archaeological site in the northern province of Preah Vihear.

Besides, the Kingdom has a pristine coastline stretching in the length of about 450 kilometres in four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.

The Ministry of Tourism has predicted that the number of international visitors to Cambodia would reach 7 million by 2025, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level of 6.6 million in 2019.