Cambodia’s tourism industry has suffered a sharp setback, with international arrivals down nearly half in the first four months of 2026 compared to last year, according to official figures.

The Ministry of Tourism reported just 1.3 million foreign visitors between January and April, a 46% drop from 2.4 million in the same period of 2025. China, Vietnam and the United States remained the top three source markets, though all recorded double‑digit declines.

Analysts say the slump reflects a mix of regional economic slowdowns, online scam scandals and tensions along the Thai border. Rising fuel prices and flight disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East have also weighed heavily on travel demand.

Tourism is one of Cambodia’s four economic pillars, alongside agriculture, construction and real estate, and garment exports. The downturn underscores the sector’s vulnerability to external shocks.

The latest figures contrast sharply with Cambodia’s tourism peak in 2019, when the country welcomed a record 6.6 million international visitors, driven largely by Chinese arrivals. That year marked the high point of a decade of rapid growth, fuelled by Angkor Wat’s global appeal and rising investment in coastal resorts such as Sihanoukville.

Since then, the pandemic brought the industry to a standstill in 2020–21, with gradual recovery proving uneven. While arrivals rebounded in 2025, the sharp fall in 2026 highlights the challenges of sustaining momentum amid regional instability.

Thong Mengdavid, deputy director at the China‑ASEAN Studies Centre, said the latest decline was a warning sign. “The situation reflects broader economic and political pressures. Cambodia must diversify its tourism markets and strengthen resilience if it wants to regain its former peak,” he told local media.

With visitor numbers now less than a quarter of the 2019 record, officials face mounting pressure to stabilise the sector and restore confidence among travellers.

-2026-06-07

That's what COVID, a border war and expensive flights do to a country that relies on tourism.

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

That's what COVID, a border war and expensive flights do to a country that relies on tourism.

They probably don't want to specifically single out that the complete absence of Thai tourists is the biggest and almost singular reason for the drop in the first 5 months of this year, but that's the reality.

On 6/7/2026 at 9:54 AM, BritManToo said:

That's what COVID, a border war and expensive flights do to a country that relies on tourism.

With respect, this is the same for most tourism dependent nations, including Thailand.

expensive flights??

With our two new International Airports, Cambodia is now served by these budget airline subsideries Air Asia Malaysia, Thai Air Asia and Cambodia Air Asia that offer flights to hubs where transfer to worldwide airlines can be made.

Edited June 8Jun 8 by Burma Bill

1 hour ago, Burma Bill said:

With respect, this is the same for most tourism dependent nations, including Thailand.

expensive flights??

With our two new International Airports, Cambodia is now served by these budget airline subsideries Air Asia Malaysia, Thai Air Asia and Cambodia Air Asia that offer flights to hubs where transfer to worldwide airlines can be made.

But before I could get the bus from BK.

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

But before I could get the bus from BK.

Tes indeed, but sadly not at the moment whilst the Thai border is closed.

From Cambodia, we have many long distance day and night buses operating to destinations in Laos and Vietnam.

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

But before I could get the bus from BK.

yep,the good days, from siem $10 bus to poipet, $2 train to bkk. easier and as fast as flying

Edited June 8Jun 8 by Yagoda

11 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Tes indeed, but sadly not at the moment whilst the Thai border is closed.

From Cambodia, we have many long distance day and night buses operating to destinations in Laos and Vietnam.

Got the bus from Saigon to Phnom Penh a few years back.