Bangkok blast to hurt Cambodian tourism

Phnom Penh, Aug 19 (IANS) The Bangkok bomb blast will affect the Cambodian tourism industry because Thailand is the main gateway for international tourists to the country, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said on Wednesday.

“Generally, there are some spill-over effects on our tourism industry because about 40 percent of the international tourists enter Cambodia through Thailand,” he said.

“We hope the situation in Bangkok will return to normal soon.”

After the Bangkok bomb blast, security has been tightened in Cambodia, especially at tourist destinations.

Tourism is one of the four pillars supporting the economy in Cambodia. Data revealed that Cambodia received about 2.3 million foreign visitors in the first six months of 2015, up 5.6 percent compared with the same period last year.

A bomb exploded on Monday at Erawan Shrine, a popular tourist destination in Bangkok, leaving at least 20 people dead and more than 100 injured.