Cambodia Welcomed about 1.75 million International Tourists in the First Half 2026

PHNOM PENH, July 27, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia welcomed about 1.75 million international tourists in the first half of 2026, a steep drop of 47.9 percent from a year earlier, as global economic uncertainty and intensifying competition among ASEAN destinations weighed on the sector, official data showed Monday.

The Ministry of Tourism said China and Vietnam remained the top source markets, though arrivals from both fell sharply. More than 450,000 Chinese tourists visited Cambodia, down 23 percent year‑on‑year, while arrivals from Vietnam reached over 440,000, a decline of 27 percent.

Tourists from the United States totaled more than 100,000, down 11 percent, while arrivals from the United Kingdom and France each exceeded 60,000, falling by 15 and 16 percent respectively.

Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter, said the downturn reflected both domestic and external factors, including global economic instability and geopolitical tensions. He noted travelers were cutting leisure spending and opting for destinations offering more competitive prices.

Competition within ASEAN has intensified, with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia investing heavily in promotion, expanding flight connections, introducing visa exemptions and offering attractive packages.

Despite the slump, Sinan said Cambodia retains strong potential through cultural heritage, beaches, islands, ecotourism and wellness offerings. He urged the government and private sector to use the decline as an opportunity to reassess strategy, improve service quality, develop new products and expand into new markets.

Cambodia received 5.57 million international tourists in 2025, down 16.7 percent from 2024, though tourism revenue rose 6.6 percent to $3.88 billion.