Thursday, June 19, 2008

S Korean tourists to Cambodia decline early this year

PHNOM PENH, June 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of South Korean tourists visiting Cambodia showed some decline early this year, local media reported Thursday, citing South Korean Ambassador to Cambodia Shin Hyun-suk.

According to a South Korean airline company, the number of South Korean tourists decreased 17 percent in the first four months of this year when compared with the same period last year, Shin Hyun-suk told the Mekong Times newspaper in an interview.

A worldwide economic recession, high oil, energy and food prices, the increase of the exchange rate between South Korean currency won against the U.S. dollar and South Korea's domestic political situation have all contributed to the negative trend, he said.

However, Shin Hyun-suk is still cautiously optimistic about the future arrivals of South Korean tourists to Cambodia.

He said that in the medium term, once many tourism development projects in Cambodia are completed and as the world economy recovers its strength, the number of foreign and South Korean tourists will pick up again.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

IRI should include it in their report!

Anonymous said...

12:48 PM;

Why it shall include in IRI report?

This is a global trend when economy is in bad form people tend to stay home instead of going overseas.

Anonymous said...

People sometimes prefer to spend time with their families and friends, particularly during the low season -- nothing else!

However, I believe the economic growth will pick its momentum exponentially in coming months, undoubtedly.

I am, ect.,

Anonymous said...

No big deal, the pace should start to pick up again after the election. People always shy from making any new investment before the election. This is not anything new.

Anonymous said...

nothing to worry about as it is the rainy season in cambodia anyway. so, naturally not a lot of people are traveling there. plus now given the high cost of fuel, food, etc..., so, it's good to understand the real situation, instead of being paranoia and hysterical about it. thank you.