Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk Sparks Coastal Tourism Comeback With New 2026–2030 Plan to Attract Global Travellers

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Cambodian Pre ah Sihanouk comes up with tourism development plan for the years 2026-2030 to stimulate development along the coast.

The Cambodian Pre ah Sihanouk province has adopted a Tourism Development Plan for 2026-2030 which intends to develop the coastal area into a strong international tourist destination through better tourism products and better experience for tourists. The strategy is intended to help the province achieve its aspiration of becoming a competitive coastal tourism destination and an economic hub of Cambodia.

The new roadmap creates a shared framework for government agencies, local authorities, tourism businesses and industry stakeholders. It focuses on developing new visitor experiences, improving service standards and expanding tourism opportunities beyond traditional beach travel.

The strategy also supports the wider ambition of positioning Pre ah Sihanouk as Cambodia’s second major urban and economic centre after Phnom Penh. The province aims to become a destination capable of competing with other coastal locations across Southeast Asia through stronger connectivity, improved infrastructure and diversified tourism products.

New five-year strategy places Pre ah Sihanouk at the centre of Cambodia’s coastal tourism ambitions

Pre ah Sihanouk has become the latest Cambodian destination to receive a dedicated tourism development plan under the country’s provincial tourism planning programme.

The strategy follows similar frameworks introduced for other major destinations, with the objective of creating stronger destination identities and developing tourism products based on local strengths.

For Pre ah Sihanouk, the focus is on moving beyond a traditional beach tourism model. The province is working towards developing a wider tourism economy that includes island travel, marine activities, ecotourism, business tourism, wellness experiences and premium accommodation.

The tourism strategy forms part of a broader long-term development vision that connects tourism with logistics, trade, investment and urban development. The aim is to create a modern coastal hub with stronger regional and international connections.

Cambodia tourism recovery faces pressure as international arrivals decline

The launch of the tourism plan comes at a challenging time for Cambodia’s international tourism sector.

During the first half of 2026, Cambodia recorded around 1.75 million international visitors compared with approximately 3.36 million during the same period a year earlier. The decline reflected wider challenges affecting visitor demand.

Several factors contributed to weaker international arrivals, including concerns surrounding online scam networks, negative destination perceptions and disruption affecting regional travel movement.

One of the biggest changes was the sharp reduction in visitors from Thailand, previously one of Cambodia’s largest tourism markets. Arrivals from the country declined significantly during the first months of 2026.

However, Cambodia’s tourism slowdown extended beyond one market. Several international regions recorded weaker visitor numbers, creating the need for stronger destination strategies focused on attracting new travellers and improving tourism experiences.

Pre ah Sihanouk’s new tourism roadmap is designed to support recovery by creating more reasons for visitors to choose the province and extend their stays.

Coastal province shows stronger tourism resilience despite national challenges

Despite wider difficulties affecting Cambodia’s tourism sector, Pre ah Sihanouk recorded stronger performance compared with several other destinations.

In 2025, the province welcomed approximately 415,459 international visitors, increasing from around 318,491 visitors in 2024. This represented growth of about 30 per cent.

Domestic tourism continued to play a major role, with approximately 4.35 million Cambodian visitors recorded during the year. Local travellers remained an important source of support for hotels, attractions, transport operators and tourism businesses.

The positive momentum continued into 2026.

During the first quarter, international arrivals increased by approximately 17.8 per cent to 148,796 visitors. Over the first five months, foreign visitor numbers remained higher than the previous year.

Passenger activity at Sihanouk International Airport also increased as new air connections supported improved access to the province.

Expressway, port and airport improvements strengthen visitor connectivity

Infrastructure development is one of the main foundations of Pre ah Sihanouk’s tourism transformation.

The 187-kilometre Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway has significantly improved road access between Cambodia’s capital and the coastal province. The journey time has been reduced from more than five hours to less than two hours, making travel easier for domestic and international visitors.

The province is also benefiting from continued expansion of its deep-sea port facilities.

The container terminal development programme aims to increase annual capacity to approximately 2.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units by 2030. Although mainly focused on trade, the expansion strengthens Pre ah Sihanouk’s position as an international gateway.

Cruise tourism is also becoming an important part of the province’s visitor economy. International cruise ships have brought thousands of passengers to the region, creating additional opportunities for tourism businesses.

Aviation connectivity is another key area of development. Sihanouk International Airport has received infrastructure improvements, including runway expansion to support larger aircraft operations.

New international routes, particularly connections with China, are helping improve accessibility and create opportunities for future tourism growth.

Koh Rong becomes a major focus for premium island tourism development

The islands surrounding Pre ah Sihanouk are central to the province’s future tourism ambitions.

Koh Rong is being developed as a major destination for island tourism, ecotourism, wellness travel and higher-value visitor experiences.

The island covers more than 11,300 hectares and features approximately 61 kilometres of coastline, including around 43 kilometres of sandy beaches.

Its natural landscapes, marine environment and beaches provide significant potential for attracting international travellers seeking coastal experiences.

A new international airport project on Koh Rong is also expected to improve future accessibility. Construction began in 2024 as part of wider efforts to strengthen island connectivity.

Improved transport links could help transform Koh Rong into a more recognised international tourism destination.

However, future development will require careful planning to maintain environmental protection and balance investment with local interests.

Unfinished buildings remain a challenge for Sihanoukville tourism transformation

Alongside tourism opportunities, Pre ah Sihanouk continues to face challenges linked to its previous construction boom.

The city still has numerous unfinished buildings left behind after investment slowed during periods of market disruption.

Hundreds of suspended construction projects have been identified, requiring significant investment to complete. Many unused structures continue to affect the city’s appearance and property market.

Investment support programmes have been introduced to encourage redevelopment and completion of unfinished projects.

Transforming these buildings into hotels, commercial spaces or tourism-related facilities could support future visitor growth and improve the urban environment.

Ream National Park adds nature tourism opportunities to coastal strategy

Ream National Park represents another important part of Pre ah Sihanouk’s tourism development plans.

The protected area includes forests, mangroves, coastal landscapes and marine ecosystems, offering opportunities for ecotourism and nature-based travel.

However, environmental pressures remain a concern as tourism and development continue to expand.

Future projects are expected to focus on sustainable tourism models that protect natural resources while creating economic opportunities.

The province is also planning improvements to coastal public spaces, including a waterfront promenade project designed to enhance visitor experiences.

2026–2030 plan aims to create a stronger global tourism destination

The new tourism roadmap represents a major effort to reposition Pre ah Sihanouk as a modern and competitive coastal destination.

The province’s future growth will depend on improving service quality, strengthening safety standards, protecting natural attractions and creating tourism experiences that match international expectations.

With improved highways, airport access, port facilities, island development and ecotourism potential, Pre ah Sihanouk has several advantages to support long-term tourism expansion.

At the same time, challenges including unfinished buildings, environmental concerns and destination reputation must be addressed.

The 2026–2030 Tourism Development Plan aims to overcome these challenges while building a stronger tourism economy.

Cambodia’s Pre ah Sihanouk is targeting a coastal tourism comeback with its new 2026–2030 plan, designed to attract global travellers by improving infrastructure, expanding tourism experiences and strengthening its position as an international destination.

As Cambodia seeks to attract more international travellers, Pre ah Sihanouk is positioning itself as a major coastal gateway combining beaches, islands, infrastructure and modern tourism development.