Tourism trends shift in Singapore and Cambodia

Southeast Asian tourism markets are experiencing varied challenges. Singapore reported 11.43 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2026, a 1.7% year-on-year decline. More significantly, overnight visitors—who contribute higher economic value—decreased by 3.2%. While China remains a strong source market with a 9.4% increase in August arrivals, Singapore faces pressure from neighboring countries offering lower prices and easier visa access.

Cambodia has seen a more severe downturn, with international arrivals falling 46% year-on-year to 1.99 million between January and July 2026. A primary driver is the closure of land borders with Thailand, which has caused the Thai visitor market to drop by over 96%. Even excluding Thailand, arrivals have fallen by approximately 26%. Other regional markets, including South Korea, Russia, and Laos, have also seen significant declines in visitors to the country.