Cambodia tourism decline, domestic surge

In mid‑2026 Cambodia saw a sharp contraction in international visitor numbers while domestic travel continued to expand rapidly. Between January and May 2026, the Ministry of Tourism recorded 20.3 million trips by Cambodians, a 54 % year‑on‑year increase, reflecting new campaigns and community‑based sites. At the same time, foreign arrivals fell dramatically – a 17 % drop in 2025 and a further 45 % decline in the first quarter of 2026, culminating in a 48 % plunge in the first half of 2026 to 1.75 million visitors. The main source markets – China, Vietnam and the United States – each posted double‑digit declines. Officials linked the downturn to a regional economic slowdown, concerns over online scams, border disputes with Thailand, flight disruptions and higher fuel costs stemming from the Middle‑East conflict.

The government responded with a visa‑free pilot for selected Chinese tour operators and intensified an anti‑fraud crackdown, shutting down hundreds of fraudulent sites and expelling thousands of foreign nationals. Despite the slump, tourism revenue remained near US$3.9 billion, buoyed by higher per‑visitor spending and sustained domestic activity.