Angkor Ticket Revenue and Tourist Arrivals Continue to Decline Amid Regional Uncertainty

SIEM REAP, June 1, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s Angkor tourism sector continued to face significant challenges in May as international visitor arrivals and ticket revenue fell sharply amid growing regional and geopolitical uncertainty, official data showed Monday.

Angkor Enterprise reported ticket sales for the Angkor Archaeological Park and other heritage sites attracted 37,467 foreign tourists in May, generating about US$1.71 million in revenue — down 29 percent and 27.7 percent respectively compared to the same month last year.

For the first five months of 2026, foreign tourist arrivals through Angkor ticket sales reached 359,471 visitors, a decline of nearly 32 percent year‑on‑year, while revenue dropped almost 30 percent to US$17.2 million.

Industry stakeholders pointed to Cambodia–Thailand border tensions, global instability, and concerns over online scams as factors undermining traveler confidence. Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said tourism remains highly sensitive to geopolitical developments and increasing global uncertainty.

Despite the slowdown, Cambodia is pressing ahead with international marketing initiatives, including the Cambodia Travel Match 2026 Mini‑Series and the “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign aimed at attracting more global visitors.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia warned in its 2026 outlook that regional tensions and border disruptions could prolong recovery, with some estimates suggesting the sector may take several years to fully rebound. Officials said sustained promotion and diversification of tourism products will be critical to restoring momentum.