PHNOM PENH: “Tourism is a systematic priority sector, designated as ‘green gold,’ and it drives both economic growth and social development,” affirmed Minister of Tourism, H.E. Huot Hak, during the opening ceremony of the “Conference on Tourism Work Results in 2024 and Work Directions for 2025.”
The Minister emphasized the sector’s multifaceted contributions to Cambodia’s progress, highlighting its role in creating and increasing job opportunities and occupations, generating income, promoting local exports, and attracting investment. Furthermore, he underscored tourism’s vital role in preserving culture and history, protecting natural resources, and enhancing national prestige on the international stage, all of which contribute significantly to social development.
“Under the leadership of the Royal Government, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, and the collaborative efforts of all ministries, relevant institutions, sub-national administrations, the private sector, partner countries, national and international organizations, and all relevant parties, the tourism sector has gradually recovered since 2022, even though the COVID-19 crisis is still affecting,” H.E. Minister stated. This recovery, he asserted, is a testament to the sector’s resilience and its integral role in Cambodia’s overall development strategy.
The Minister elaborated on the direct economic impact, noting that the growth of the tourism sector is an important foundation that has contributed to boosting the macroeconomic and development in all sectors, especially the private sector, by improving the business and investment environment, which is a source of job creation, income, and a driver for economic activity to achieve continuous growth.
The tourism industry contributed 9.4 percent to Cambodia’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, making the sector one of the key drivers in the country’s economy, a report from the Ministry of Tourism showed on Feb. 24.
The 2024 tourism figures provided concrete evidence of this growth. Cambodia welcomed more than 6.7 million international tourists, an increase of 22.9% compared to 2023, and approximately 22.5 million domestic tourists, an increase of more than 20%. This surge in tourism activity contributed approximately 3.6 billion US dollars to the Cambodian economy, further solidifying the sector’s vital role as a driver of economic growth.
H.E. Huot Hak’s affirmation underscores the Cambodian government’s commitment to leveraging tourism as a key engine for sustainable development, ensuring that its benefits reach all segments of society.