PHNOM PENH, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting tourist destinations in Cambodia during the Khmer New Year holiday rose 67 percent to 4.72 million, a tourism ministry report said on Wednesday.

The report said that about 4.64 locals traveled within the country during the three-day holiday, up 66 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, international arrivals increased to 83,123, showing a rise of 98 percent.

Besides, another 3 million locals visited Buddhist pagodas across the nation during the traditional New Year, which started on April 14 and concluded on April 16, Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon said.

He said peace and political stability allowed people to travel freely and fearlessly.

"Under the shade of peace in combination with people's better livelihoods, people had happily celebrated the traditional New Year with the reflection of Cambodian identity," Khon said.