Published on : Monday, June 20, 2016
The European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) named Cambodia as the World Best Tourism Destination for 2016 out of 30 countries that joined the competition for the award this year.
ECTT said in a press release issued on June 15 that Cambodia took the top spot due to its “rich cultural and historical legacy and outstanding natural beauty.”
“Cambodia is a perfectly safe and outstanding destination that will forever mark your heart,” said Anton Caragea, president of the Bucharest-headquartered ECTT, which has 28 European countries as members.
Cambodia is renowned for two cultural sites in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. One is the 12th century Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province and the other is the 11th century Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province.
Besides, the Southeast Asian nation has many interesting eco-tourism sites, including a 450-kilometer coastline stretching across four provinces in the country’s southwestern part.
New prominent landmarks are to be added to the UNESCO list, namely Angkor Borei and Phnom Da, the former celebrated as the ancient capital of Kingdom of Cambodia under the name of Vyadhapura.
The country attracted some 4.8 million foreign tourists in 2015, earning gross revenue of more than $3 billion, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism.
Pavel Avramoiu, director for Hotel Management and Evaluation at ECTT, said Cambodia has “huge potential” for tourism development.
“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,” he said.
Last year’s award winner was the African country of Ethiopia. In 2014, it was Zimbabwe, and in 2013 Laos was declared winner.
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