Cambodia receives 1.5 million tourists amid global and regional tensions

PHNOM PENH, June 22, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia welcomed 1.5 million foreign visitors in the first five months of 2026, showing resilience in the face of global and regional geopolitical challenges, the tourism ministry said Monday.

Chinese arrivals reached nearly 400,000, down 19 percent year‑on‑year, while visitors from Vietnam totaled about 380,000, a decline of 26 percent. The United States sent more than 90,000 tourists, down 11 percent, with arrivals from the United Kingdom and France also falling.

Tourism Minister Huot Hak said experts have mapped three scenarios for the year. If crises persist, arrivals may reach 4.6–4.8 million. If border issues ease, numbers could climb to 5.3–5.5 million. Under the most optimistic outlook, Cambodia could welcome 6.1–6.3 million visitors.

Industry leaders say confidence was dented last year by allegations linked to online scam operations and tensions with Thailand. “Geopolitical developments are taking place around the world, and anything can happen at any time,” said Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Cambodia chapter.

Despite the downturn, Cambodia’s tourism sector has shown resilience. The kingdom received 5.57 million international tourists in 2025, down 16.7 percent from 2024, yet revenues rose 6.6 percent to US$3.88 billion, highlighting the industry’s capacity to adapt and sustain growth even under pressure.