Phnom Penh (FN), July 27 - Enriched with cultural heritages, and thanks to peace and political stability, Cambodia had become a world-class tourist destination for millions of national and international visitors annually.

Within the first six months of 2018, Cambodia welcomed over 3 million, an increase of 13% compared to the same period in 2017, according to Minister of Tourism Thong Khon on Friday morning.

"We expected to receive more than 6.2 million international tourists in 2018. With peace, development and potential tourism sector, Cambodia predicted to welcome about 7 million international tourists by 2020 and around 15 million by 2030," said Thong Khon.

He called for international tourists to come to Cambodia for the kingdom is peaceful and safe responding to the US Embassy's alert regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections.

"This security message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens residing in, or traveling to, Cambodia that the upcoming national parliamentary elections on July 29 may spark political gatherings, demonstrations, or movements of security personnel. Although recent political gatherings in Cambodia have been largely nonviolent, demonstrations or gatherings could turn confrontational without warning,” U.S. Embassy wrote in the Security Alert on 24 July 2018.

However, Recchard Son, an American living in Cambodia, called US Embassy's Security Alerts on Cambodian National Parliamentary Elections "Fake News”.

Speaking to Fresh News on 26 July 26 2018, Rechhard Son said: "I am hurt when US Embassy said that Cambodia is not safe. I would like to tell the American fellows that Cambodia is peaceful; traveling, I never face any concerns. I used to travel to 100 countries, I know where is peaceful and where is not. Cambodia is even more peaceful than other places."

"The US Embassy said in a video advising not to visit Cambodia is fake news. Fake News is now popular. When we open VOA and other radios and hear something not good about Khmer, it means Fake News," Rechhard said adding that, "Even though Cambodia is not perfect with one negative point, the other nine points are good. But I wonder why VOA Radio and Television don't say good things about the nine things and say bad about one thing instead."

Recchard Son, living in Cambodia for more than 20 years, called for international tourists to come to Cambodia and not to believe the propaganda that the situation in Cambodia amid elections is not good.
=FRESH NEWS