PHNOM PENH -- The Cambodian government on Saturday decided to reduce e-visa fees for tourists and business or ordinary people, taking effect from Jan 1, 2025.

The government said in a news release that the fee for tourist type (e-visa T) would be slashed to $30 from the current $36, while the fee for regular type (e-visa E) would be lowered to $35 from the current $42.

The move aimed to attract more tourists and investors to the Southeast Asian country.

Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said the reduction was unlikely to significantly boost the tourism industry.

"To attract more tourists, we urge the government to consider implementing visa incentives for travelers from some of top 20 arrival countries to enhance Cambodia's tourism appeal," he told Xinhua.

Cambodia recorded 6 million international tourists during the January-November period of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 22 percent.

Top five international tourist arrivals to the kingdom are Thailand, Vietnam, China, Laos and the United States.

Tourism is one of four pillars supporting Cambodia's economy, in addition to garment, footwear and travel goods export, agriculture, and construction and real estate.

The country received 5.45 million international tourists in 2023, generating a gross revenue of $3.08 billion, according to the Ministry of Tourism.