Phnom Penh, Cambodia: The upcoming Water Festival in Cambodia is anticipated to significantly revive the domestic tourism industry, which had seen a downturn in the past few years due to the festival’s suspension.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Mr. Ho Vandy, an adviser to the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), expressed optimism about the potential increase in domestic tourism during this year’s festival. “I am optimistic that, little by little and especially during this year’s Water Festival, Phnom Penh will be able to attract more domestic tourists after the annual festival was postponed for many years,” he stated.

Vandy also believes that the Water Festival 2023 will benefit tour operators, who are likely to see an increase in revenue from tourists traveling across the country. This positive outlook is supported by reports from provincial tourism officials who have observed a marked rise in internal tourists to popular holiday destinations throughout Cambodia.

In Kratie province, for instance, Mr. Chan Sokunthy, Director of the Kratie Provincial Tourism Department, noted a significant increase in hotel and guesthouse bookings by Cambodian travelers, with a noticeable decrease in foreign tourist numbers. Kratie province boasts 55 guesthouses and 15 hotels.

Similarly, Preah Sihanouk coastal province is attracting a large number of tourists, thanks to its developed infrastructure, including an expressway. Mr. Taing Sochet Kresna, Director of the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Tourism Department, highlighted that the province now offers more than 10,000 rooms across over 100 hotels, along with numerous bungalows.

In Siem Reap, the province renowned for the Angkor temples, tourism is also experiencing an uptick. Mr. Ngov Sengkak, Director of the Siem Reap Provincial Department of Tourism, reported that as of November 25, the booking rate for accommodation services was between 80 to 90 percent, with areas around Pub Street already fully booked.

The Water Festival is a major cultural event in Cambodia, drawing people from all over the country to the capital, primarily along the riverside, to enjoy boat races, a parade of illuminated floats, firework displays, art performances, and other entertainment activities. Concurrently, many Cambodians take advantage of the three-day holiday to visit various tourist destinations across the nation.