The past several months saw almost 20 foreign cruise liners carrying tourists from many different nations arrive at Preah Sihanouk province.

According to the Ministry of Information, this represented almost double the amount of tourist vessels that paid calls in the same period last year.

The majority of the tourists on board were Americans, Canadians and Europeans, who have begun travelling more frequently with the abatement of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many of the visitors enjoyed trips to the province’s islands, such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, added the ministry.

Although the number of cruise ships docking the in province was higher than last year, the number of foreign tourists arriving by air remained modest, with just one or two direct flights per week. The ministry holds expectations that the number of direct international flights will increase in the near future.

In line with Ministry of Tourism’s strategic plans to attract foreign tourists, the provincial tourism department has laid out plans to hasten the implementation of standard operational procedures (SOPs) and the quality of services. It is also fostering vocational training in the coastal regions.