Cambodia named top tourism destination for 2016

Cambodia has been named the World Best Tourism Destination for 2016 by the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT).

Cambodia beat 30 other entrants to earn top spot in awards due to its rich cultural and historical legacy and outstanding natural beauty.

Professor Anton Caragea, president of the ECTT, which has 28 European country members, said: “Cambodia is a perfectly safe and outstanding destination that will forever mark your heart.”

Cambodia is renowned for having two cultural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List – the 12th century Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province and the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province – as well as a number of eco-tourism sites.

The country attracted some 4.8 million foreign tourists in 2015, earning gross revenue of more than $3 billion, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Pavel Avramoiu, director for Hotel Management and Evaluation at ECTT, said Cambodia has huge potential for tourism development.

He said: “Cambodia, now proclaimed World Best Tourist Destination, must transform this perfect opportunity and universal limelight in a base for attracting investors in the field of hotels and hospitality to cater for the millions that will find their ways to the Kingdom of Wonders and Land of Magic.”