Phnom Penh: About 500 runners and national and international guests participated in the Paddy Field Trail 2025, an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration and several partners to boost tourism during the Green Season. The running event took place on May 25 at Phnom Reap Pagoda, located in Khan Prek Pnov, Phnom Penh, under the presidency of H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the race was divided into three categories: 5 kilometres, 12 kilometres, and 25 kilometres. The sporting event aims to promote community-based tourism and encourage travel during the Green Season, a period that traditionally sees lower tourist numbers due to weather conditions.
Running from April to October, the Green Season is being leveraged by the Ministry of Tourism through partnerships with government institutions, sub-national authorities, and private stakeholders to develop engaging tourism products and culturally rich events.
In 2024, Cambodia welcomed 6.7 million international tourists, a 23 percent increase from 2023. Domestic tourism also saw growth, with 22.52 million local travellers recorded, marking a 20 percent year-on-year rise. During the first quarter of 2025, Cambodia received more than 1.83 million international tourists, a 16 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a report by the Ministry of Tourism.