Cambodia and Thailand Tourism Struggles Now Amid Border Disputes, Impacting Cross-Border Travel

Published on November 22, 2025

The impact of the border tensions hotspots between Cambodia and Thailand has severely affected the tourism industry of both countries, as the border conflict impacts mobility. Deficient both tourism and cross-border travel after the most recent border flare up.

The most affected country has been Cambodia, where tourism revenues dropped by 8.8 percent, while land travel, which encompasses 800,000 travelers, declined by 26.5 percent in the first nine months. This has reflected on the closing of the land borders between Cambodia and Thailand since June 2025 which has paralyzed the stream of travelers between the two countries.

Locally in Thailand, impact has been of no significant tourism concern, as the most economically troubled northeastern provinces neighbouring Cambodia suffer concentrated deficits. Overall, Thailand tourism performs strong, reporting 26.69 million international arrivals between January and October 2025, while most affected Asian markets underperformed by an overall 14 percent decline.

Cambodia’s Tourism Decline Linked to Border Shutdown and Rising Safety Concerns

The closure of the land border between Cambodia and Thailand has led to a sharp decline in visitors traveling by land, a significant blow to Cambodia’s tourism sector, which has traditionally relied heavily on cross-border visitors. In the first nine months of 2025, Cambodia recorded just over 2.2 million land entries, a marked decrease from the 3.04 million in the same period the previous year.

One of the most affected segments has been tourism from Thailand, which is the largest source market for Cambodia. The number of Thai visitors to Cambodia fell by more than 35% from January through September, with an even sharper decline of 91% in September. Local markets like Laos also experienced a sharp reduction in tourism traffic, as visitors from Laos often transited through Thailand to reach Cambodia.

This sharp decline in regional tourism is also influenced by the growing safety concerns, as cybercrime scams in Cambodia involving the abduction of Korean nationals have further discouraged Asian tourists, particularly from South Korea. The cybercrime issue has severely impacted visitor confidence, resulting in drops in tourist arrivals from several Asian countries, though China and Taiwan have continued to show positive growth.

European Markets Show Growth Amid Tourism Decline

Despite the setbacks in regional tourism, European markets have remained a bright spot for Cambodia’s tourism sector. By the end of September 2025, Cambodia recorded over 500,000 arrivals from Europe, marking a 12.3% increase compared to the previous year. French visitors increased by 9.7%, approaching 100,000 arrivals, while the UK saw a 17% increase, and Germany recorded a 7% rise.

This growth in European arrivals is seen as a counterbalance to the decline in Asian markets, with European visitors increasingly seeking alternative destinations due to the safety concerns in other regions.

Repositioning Cambodia’s Tourism Narrative for the Future

In response to the challenges posed by the border conflict and the decline in regional tourism, Cambodia’s Tourism Board (CTB) is actively working to reposition the country as a diverse and attractive destination. During a presentation at WTM London 2025, Kim Minea, CEO of Cambodia Tourism Board, acknowledged the need for a new approach to tourism promotion.

The introduction of three-day packages around Kep and Kampot, Cambodia’s coastal destinations, will help diversify the country’s tourism offerings. This move aligns with the broader goal of positioning Cambodia as a unified tourism destination, not just focusing on its iconic Angkor Wat but also celebrating other facets of its cultural and natural heritage.

Thailand’s Tourism: Localized Impact from Border Tensions

On the Thai side, the border tensions with Cambodia have caused localized issues, particularly in the northeastern provinces. While Thailand welcomed 26.69 million international visitors in 2025, it saw a 7.2% decline, with significant drops from neighboring countries. Cambodia, which experienced a 46.5% decrease in arrivals from Thailand, was one of the hardest-hit nations in terms of cross-border tourism.

However, European markets continue to support Thailand’s tourism sector, with arrivals from the UK, France, Germany, and Poland increasing by 11% to 30%. The Americas also showed growth, with USA and Canada arrivals rising by 5-7%.

Despite the challenges in the Asian market, Thailand’s tourism remains resilient, with a strong performance from European and long-haul markets driving continued growth.

Looking Ahead: Regional Collaboration for Tourism Recovery

As Cambodia and Thailand work through the ongoing border tensions, it is clear that the tourism industry will play a critical role in regional recovery. Both countries are prioritizing tourism development and regional cooperation, ensuring that despite current challenges, the tourism sectors of Cambodia and Thailand will continue to thrive in the long term.