Cambodia sees 5.6% drop in international tourists amid border tensions

By Leng Deth

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 3, 2025) — Cambodia welcomed approximately 4 million international visitors from January to August 2025, a 5.6% decline compared to the same period last year, as escalating border tensions with Thailand dampened regional travel.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Thai nationals remained the largest source of visitors, totaling over 960,000, but their numbers fell 28.2% year-on-year. Vietnamese tourists dropped nearly 7% to 800,000, while arrivals from Laos plunged nearly 50%. In contrast, Chinese visitors surged 45% to 780,000, reflecting a rebound in outbound travel from China. U.S. arrivals dipped slightly by 0.5% to 140,000.

Thourn Sinan, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter, said the political heat between Cambodia and Thailand has led to partial border closures, affecting tourism flows. “Global economic pressures, public health concerns, and natural disasters have also discouraged long-haul travel, especially from Europe,” he told KPT English.

Sinan added that the decline is manageable but urged stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to promote domestic tourism and reduce reliance on foreign markets.

The Asian Development Bank noted a recovery in Cambodia’s tourism sector during the first half of 2025, driven by Chinese arrivals, but warned that continued border instability could disrupt services in the second half of the year.

In 2024, Cambodia welcomed approximately 6.7 million international tourists, marking a 22.9% increase compared to 2023. Visitors from Asia and the Pacific accounted for 85% of total arrivals, with Thailand, Vietnam, and China making up nearly two-thirds of the inbound market. This rebound reflects the sector’s continued recovery following the pandemic-era downturn.