South Korea Follows Laos and More Source Markets Giving Cambodia Tourism a Shocking Decline Amid Border Crisis and Safety Concerns

The strongest impact has been recorded from Thailand, traditionally one of Cambodia’s largest regional visitor markets. Due to continued border checkpoint closures, Thai arrivals have almost disappeared.

Key tourism impacts include:

• Thai visitor arrivals declined by 96.2%, falling from more than 856,000 visitors to around 32,700 visitors between January and May.
• Land tourism routes have remained disrupted since June 2025, reducing short-distance travel demand.
• Regional tourism flows have been affected more severely than long-haul markets.

The loss of neighbouring-country visitors has created a major gap because regional travellers usually contribute strongly to short holidays, weekend trips and cross-border tourism.

South Korea and Other Asian Markets Add Pressure on Cambodia Travel Recovery

The decline in Cambodia’s tourism sector has not been limited to Thailand. Even after excluding Thai arrivals, the weakness across other markets remains visible.

Official figures show that arrivals excluding Thailand declined by around 26% during the first quarter of 2026. Several important Asian markets recorded significant reductions.

The biggest declines included:

• Laos tourism arrivals fell by 90.6%
• South Korean arrivals declined by 66.1%
• Russian visitors decreased by 57.3%
• Vietnamese arrivals dropped by 22.7%

South Korea has become one of the most affected markets due to travel concerns connected with criminal activity reports in certain Cambodian locations. Restrictions and warnings affecting specific areas have influenced traveller confidence and reduced demand from Korean visitors.

The decline from Asian markets has created additional challenges because these countries traditionally provide large volumes of visitors due to geographical proximity and strong regional connections.

Safety Concerns and Travel Reputation Affect Cambodia’s International Tourism Image

Cambodia’s tourism recovery has also been affected by concerns surrounding its international travel reputation. Negative publicity linked to online scam networks has created challenges in attracting foreign visitors.

Several factors have contributed to weaker traveller confidence:

• Concerns surrounding online scam operations
• Border tensions affecting regional mobility
• Higher fuel costs impacting travel expenses
• Reduced confidence among some international travellers

These issues have influenced travel decisions, especially among visitors who previously considered Cambodia a convenient regional destination.

However, long-haul markets have shown greater stability compared with nearby Asian markets.

During the first quarter of 2026:

• France recorded a decline of 16.9%
• United States arrivals decreased by 12.9%
• United Kingdom visitors dropped by 11.9%

Although these markets also declined, the reduction was smaller compared with several regional source markets.

Cambodia Turns Towards China Tourism Growth Strategy

China has become a major focus for Cambodia’s tourism recovery plans. Chinese visitors remained an important market, with business travel contributing significantly to overall arrivals.

During the first quarter:

• Cambodia welcomed around 242,387 Chinese visitors.
• Around 135,209 arrivals were connected to business travel.
• Around 106,207 visitors travelled for holidays.

To encourage stronger tourism growth, visa-free entry arrangements were introduced for Chinese travellers between 15 June and 15 October 2026.

Under the arrangement:

• Chinese citizens can enter Cambodia without a traditional visa
• Multiple entries are permitted
• Travel is allowed for up to 14 days
• An electronic arrival form is required

The initiative has been designed to increase visitor numbers during the important summer travel period. The tourism industry has also sought wider expansion of similar travel facilitation measures.

Hotel Performance and Tourism Revenue Show Signs of Earlier Weakness

Cambodia’s tourism slowdown began before 2026. Early warning signs appeared during 2025 when visitor numbers and hotel performance weakened.

In 2025:

• International arrivals reached 5.57 million
• Visitor numbers declined by 16.9%
• Hotel occupancy fell from 77.8% to 59.1%
• Average visitor stay reduced from 7.1 days to 6.2 days

Despite lower visitor numbers, tourism continued generating important economic value.

The sector produced approximately:

• US$3.878 billion in tourism revenue
• Around 9.8% contribution to Cambodia’s GDP

The figures show that tourism remains a major economic pillar despite current difficulties.

Airlines Maintain Cambodia Routes Despite Passenger Decline

Cambodia’s aviation sector has shown more stability compared with land travel, although passenger numbers have weakened.

Over the first seven months of 2026:

• International flights reached 37,248 movements
• Flight operations declined by only 1%
• Passenger numbers fell to 3.71 million
• Passenger traffic declined by 9%
• Air cargo increased by 21%

The data indicates that airlines have continued operating routes, but fewer travellers have been filling available seats.

Major airports continued supporting international connectivity:

• Techo International Airport handled around 70.3% of aircraft movements
• Siem Reap Airport accounted for 24%
• Sihanoukville Airport represented 5.3%

Siem Reap Tourism Suffers as Angkor Visitor Numbers Decline

Siem Reap, home to the famous Angkor Archaeological Park, has experienced one of the strongest tourism impacts.

Between January and August 2026:

• Foreign visitors purchasing Angkor tickets reached 474,993
• Visitor numbers declined by 29.07%
• Revenue decreased to US$22.54 million
• Revenue dropped by 27.43%

The province has faced difficulties because international leisure travellers have reduced visits.

Additional challenges include:

• Lower hotel activity
• Reduced international tour demand
• Slower recovery of tourism businesses

However, airport connectivity has continued, with incentives introduced to encourage new international routes.

Sihanoukville Emerges as Cambodia’s Tourism Growth Exception

While many Cambodian destinations have experienced declines, Sihanoukville has shown stronger performance.

Preah Sihanouk recorded:

• 415,459 foreign visitors in 2025
• Growth from 318,491 visitors in 2024
• Around 30% increase year on year

During the first quarter of 2026:

• Foreign arrivals increased by 17.8%
• International airport arrivals more than doubled

Growth has been supported by:

• Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway connectivity
• Port development
• Cruise tourism
• Coastal tourism investment

The destination is being positioned as a stronger leisure and business tourism hub.

Cambodia Tourism Recovery Depends on Borders Confidence and International Demand

Cambodia has prepared different tourism recovery scenarios for 2026. Forecasts range from 4.6 million to 6.3 million international arrivals, depending on how quickly travel conditions improve.

However, the recovery path remains closely linked to several factors:

• Restoration of regional border travel
• Improved traveller confidence
• Growth of Chinese visitor arrivals
• Stronger international air connectivity
• Successful promotion of Cambodia’s tourism attractions

The current tourism decline highlights how strongly Cambodia depends on regional mobility. While air travel and selected destinations continue showing resilience, the loss of major source markets has created significant pressure on the country’s tourism sector.

South Korea Follows Laos and More Source Markets as Cambodia Tourism Falls Off a Cliff. The slide has been precipitated by border disruptions, safety concerns and a dramatic downshift in regional visitor arrivals, causing international numbers to collapse in 2026.

With new visa measures, infrastructure boosts and destination promotions underway, Cambodia’s recovery will be contingent on rebuilding their international reputation and getting more visitors back from the key markets.