Cambodia expects more Chinese tourists during the Spring Festival

Khon said that in order to lure more Chinese visitors, he has encouraged owners of hotels, restaurants and resorts to use three languages, Khmer, English and Chinese, on their billboards or promotional leaflets.

He said he does not have any problem with the etiquette of Chinese tourists in Cambodia because Cambodia and China have similar cultural practices and Chinese visitors always respect Cambodian laws, culture and traditions.

"They are friendly tourists and Cambodia is pleased to welcome them because they understand Cambodian traditions and customs and our cultures are also similar," he said.

"Generally, we have not encountered any problems with Chinese tourists even if sometimes they speak loudly at public places which they have been accustomed probably in China," Khon said.

What he admires most in Chinese tourists is that they are friendly to Cambodians, respect local laws, and are not stingy in their spending while visiting Cambodia's tourist spots or going to restaurants or shopping malls.

Khon, however, said that there are few reminders for foreign tourists visiting his country not to do and these include swimming naked or kissing in public. There is also law that bans the taking of photos of visitors in the nude particularly in historic spots like the Angkor Wat Temple, Khon added.

Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents which consist of 211 tour and travel companies, said close Sino-Cambodian ties and Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat Temple have lured more Chinese tourists to Cambodia.