Cambodia tourism hit by global tensions, Angkor revenue plunges

PHNOM PENH, April 3, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s tourism sector is facing mounting uncertainty as geopolitical tensions and global instability weigh on visitor numbers, industry leaders warned Friday.

International arrivals slowed sharply in the first quarter, with Angkor Wat ticket revenue down more than 30 percent year-on-year to $13.1 million, Angkor Enterprise said. The famed temple complex drew 270,911 foreign visitors in the period.

The downturn deepened in March, when 82,026 tourists generated nearly $4 million, a 29 percent drop from a year earlier.

Analysts say the slump reflects wider pressures, including conflicts in the Middle East, simmering border tensions with Thailand, and reputational fallout from online scam issues under government scrutiny.

“The current global climate makes it impossible to forecast recovery,” said Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter. He noted Siem Reap hospitality businesses have already been hit by flight cancellations linked to geopolitical conflicts.

“Major powers are increasingly asserting themselves across regions, creating a highly unpredictable environment. We are living in an uncertain world,” he said.

Despite the bleak outlook, stakeholders are pushing to sustain competitiveness in key markets. “We must work together and compete for our respective markets,” Sinan added.

Cambodia welcomed 5.57 million international tourists last year, down 16.9 percent, while domestic travel remained resilient at about 25 million trips. Total tourism revenue reached $3.7 billion, up 3 percent.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia said in its 2026 outlook that geopolitical tensions – including conflict in Iran and border disruptions with Thailand – have contributed to the downturn. Respondents estimated recovery could take up to three years.