In Pictures: Over 7.8 million visitors across Cambodia during the Water Festival

7,844,388 local and foreign tourists spent the three-day Water Festival holiday in various tourist destinations in Cambodia, a report from the Ministry of Tourism's Department of Tourism Statistics stated today.

Of the total number, 89,296 were foreign tourists, the report said, adding that these figures represented increases of 21.4% and 28.7% respectively compared to the same period last year.

According to the ministry, the capital Phnom Penh, where the boat races, the parade of illuminated floats (Pratip), the fireworks and the concerts took place, attracted the largest number of visitors with almost 6.3 million during the three days of this annual celebration.

The coastal regions, comprising the provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong, attracted 576,791 tourists, followed by the cultural regions, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap, with 380,737 tourists.

In addition, 364,320 and 92,577 people visited the Battambang regions (Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Pailin and Pursat provinces) and the ecotourism regions (Kratie, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri and Stung Treng provinces) respectively.

This three-day festival is one of Cambodia's most celebrated events. People from all over the country flock to the capital Phnom Penh to enjoy the festival's three main events: the boat races, Loy Pratip, Sampeas Preah Khe (the moon festival) and Ok Ambok.

Every year, Cambodia organises the Water Festival to mark the end of the monsoon season and express its gratitude to nature for the productive harvests.

More photos here

AKP & SHS