SIEM REAP: According to the Siem Reap Tourism Development Plan, a Siem Reap’s new city will open in 2035 to relieve the burden on the old city and be ready to receive more than 7 million national and international tourists, whereas the old city of Siem Reap can only accommodate a limited number of visitors.

Mr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, emphasized that Siem Reap’s old city is an ancient and heritage city that must be protected so that no one can abuse or do anything arbitrary it. As a result, a Siem Reap’s new city project must be built, one that is separate from the old city.

He stated that, the new city project should be built in accordance with the layout of Angkor Wat in order to attract national and international tourists to relax and stay longer, particularly to alleviate the burden of the old city. Because Siem Reap’s old city cannot accommodate 7 million tourists.

However, he stated that the construction of Siem Reap’s new city is dependent on the preparation of engineers and experts in urban planning and development.

According to Mr. Thong Khon, in 2030, Siem Reap, an ancient and cultural tourist destination, will receive over 7 million visitors, generate approximately $5 billion in revenue, and employ approximately 90% of the population.

According to a Ministry of Tourism report, Cambodia received more than 770,000 international tourists in the first seven months of 2022, a 560% increase over the same period in 2021 during the crisis.

According to the report, there were 1,242,854 domestic tourists in Siem Reap in the first seven months of 2022, an increase of 890% over the same period in 2021, of which 1,159,000 were domestic tourists, an increase of 799%, and domestic foreign tourists. 83,864 people, a 1,352% increase.