Economy
Cambodia, UAE advance tourism partnership with visa-free travel talks
PHNOM PENH, July 7, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have stepped up efforts to strengthen tourism cooperation by reviewing the feasibility of a mutual tourist visa exemption and expanding direct air connectivity, officials said Monday.
The progress was discussed during a meeting between Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, and Obaid Saeed Obaid Bintaresh Aldhaheri, the UAE’s Ambassador to Cambodia.
Talks focused on implementing tourism cooperation launched in May 2025, including measures to increase tourist flows through easier travel arrangements and enhanced air links.
Ambassador Obaid Saeed welcomed the review, noting the growing number of travelers using Etihad Airways’ direct service between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh. Hak thanked the UAE for its support, highlighting the importance of the late-2025 flight launch in improving Cambodia’s connectivity to international markets and making travel more convenient for visitors from the Middle East and beyond.
The two sides also exchanged views on attracting more tourists from the UAE and the wider region, including studying the UAE’s proposal for a mutual visa exemption to encourage greater exchanges.
The meeting coincided with the 32nd anniversary of Cambodia–UAE diplomatic relations, providing a foundation for expanding cooperation not only in tourism but also in aviation, trade and investment.
Cambodia welcomed about 5.6 million international tourists in 2025, including nearly 3,500 visitors from the Middle East. In the first five months of 2026, the Kingdom received 1.6 million arrivals, with more than 1,200 from the region, underscoring its growth potential despite geopolitical challenges.
The Ministry of Tourism said strengthening air connectivity, improving travel facilitation and expanding bilateral cooperation will help Cambodia tap into the Middle Eastern market while supporting its broader strategy to diversify visitor sources and promote sustainable growth.
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