Cambodia Tourism Board Charts Confident Path for 2026 Growth

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 9, 2026, (KPT) — Cambodia’s Tourism Board (CTB) has outlined new strategic plans for 2026 to reinforce resilience and competitiveness in the sector, following a year in which international arrivals fell to 5.1 million in the first 11 months of 2025, down 13.8% from the same period a year earlier.

Mr. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB), presided over the annual meeting attended by about 30 participants, including government officials, private sector representatives, and CTB members. The meeting marked the Board’s eighth session and focused on reviewing 2025 progress, assessing challenges, and setting the strategic direction for 2026.

The CTB commended achievements made under the guidance of Prime Minister Hun Manet, noting that Cambodia’s tourism sector has remained resilient despite global economic risks, geopolitical tensions, and ongoing border challenges with Thailand. Officials emphasized the “Dynamic Single Stakeholder” approach and six strategic pillars of tourism as key drivers of adaptability and competitiveness.

Tourism arrivals in 2025 reflected mixed trends. Vietnam remained the largest source market with 1.11 million visitors, though arrivals fell 7.3%. China surged to second place with 1.1 million visitors, a 43.5% increase, while Thailand dropped nearly 47% to 1 million. The United States and South Korea also recorded declines, with 180,000 and 140,000 arrivals respectively.

Huot Hak said the 2026 strategy will focus on confidence, creativity, adaptability, and vigilance to sustain resilience against crises while driving momentum for regional competitiveness. He stressed the need for solidarity across all sectors to strengthen capacity and ownership of the tourism industry.