Phnom Penh: Pchum Ben proved to be the boost domestic tourism businesses needed. While the numbers of local tourists were down about 40% on last year, more than 660,000 people still travelled throughout Cambodia during the three-day national holiday.

The Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, has announced that more than 664-thousand tourists took their suitcases and went to visit different spots of the country. The main destinations appeared to be at the coast. Kampot experienced a surge in bookings between 5 and 7 of October, with more than 100 thousand tourists visiting places such as Bokor mountain and nearby waterparks. Followed by Kampot, the neighboring city of Kep welcomed 100,000 tourists. Preah Sihanouk saw more than 80,000 people visiting.

50,000 travelers enjoyed their holiday in Pursat, while Kampong Speu, Battambang, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap each received more than 30,000 visitors. Most visitors are expected to extend their trips until the weekend, although on Thursday about 10% of holidaymakers had checked out and were heading home. The second day of Pchum Ben, Pchum Thom, was the busiest, with almost 270,000 people heading out on vacation – up 82% on the day before.