PHNOM PENH: Cambodia received some 3.5 million foreign visitors in the first eight months of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 250.8 percent, but a decrease of 19.7 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to a report of the Ministry of Tourism (MOT).

Of the figure, 1.2 million arrived by air, up 206.1 percent; and 2.28 million by land and waterways, said the report, noting that most of the foreign tourists came to Cambodia from neighboring countries, a key priority tourism market in the post-COVID-19 era.

The Kingdom is expected to welcome between 4.5 and 5 million international tourists by the end of this year, up from 2.27 million in 2022.

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

Cambodia is well known for its world cultural heritage sites, namely the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear Temple and Koh Ker Temple in Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in Kampong Thom province.

Besides, the Kingdom has a 450-kilometer-long pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong.