Cambodia Taps ASEAN–China Centre to Drive Return of Chinese Tourists in 2026

CEBU, Philippines, Jan 30, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia is intensifying cooperation with the ASEAN–China Centre (ACC) to boost the return of Chinese tourists in 2026, combining visa policy, connectivity, training and safety messaging in a coordinated recovery push.

The renewed commitment was underscored during a bilateral meeting on Thursday between Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak and ACC Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Cebu.

Hak thanked the ACC for past support through training programs, familiarization trips and cooperation with Chinese tour operators, saying these efforts helped sustain Cambodia’s visibility in the Chinese market.

He announced that Cambodia will grant visa exemptions to Chinese nationals on a trial basis from June 15 to October 15, 2026, and sought ACC’s backing to ensure the success of the pilot scheme and activities under the Cambodia–China Tourism Year 2025–2026.

Shi reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to deepen tourism cooperation, pledging to mobilize more Chinese investors and tourists, expand training for Cambodian tour guides, promote direct flight connectivity and counter misinformation about tourist safety circulating online.

The ACC also invited Cambodia to join a Forum on Tourism Safety and Security to be held in China later this year. Cambodian officials welcomed the initiative, saying it would help showcase the country as a safe and well-prepared destination for Chinese and global travelers.

Cambodia received 5.57 million international visitors in 2025, down from 6.7 million in 2024, including 1.2 million Chinese arrivals, according to the Ministry of Tourism.