On Nov. 14, the first day of the three-day Water Festival celebration, 1,436,441 people, including 27,460 foreigners, travelled throughout Cambodia.
According to reports from the Municipal and Provincial Tourism Departments, Phnom Penh’s capital, where boat races, a parade of illuminated floats (Pratip), fireworks, and concerts are held, has drawn the highest number of visitors, with 1,105,791.
The coastal areas, including the provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong, attracted 133,462 visitors, followed by the cultural areas of Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Siem Reap provinces, which recorded 88,983 tourists.
Meanwhile, some 54,590 and 21,465 people visited the Battambang areas (Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin, and Pursat provinces) and the eco-tourism areas (Kratie, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri, and Stung Treng provinces), respectively.
This year, the Water Festival takes place on Nov. 14-16. The three-day celebration is one of the most joyful events in Cambodia. People throughout the country flockedto Phnom Penh’s capital to enjoy the festival’s three main events: boat racing, Loy Pratip (the display of decorative lighted boats), Sampeas Preah Khe (Moon Festival), and Ok Ambok (a type of glutinous rice roasted and crushed with a pestle and eaten with banana or coconut juice).
A total of 348 boats from across the country have registered for the races in the three afternoons, while 36 Pratip representing different ministries and public and private institutions will float along the river in front of the Royal Palace in the evenings.
Annually, Cambodia organises the Water Festival to mark the end of the monsoon season, convey appreciation to nature, especially water, for the productive harvests, and commemorate the country’s rich culture and long history.AKP
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