Cambodia Grants Visa Exemption for Chinese Citizens to Boost Tourism, Attract 500,000 Visitors in 2026 and Strengthen their Hospitality Growth and Travel Links

According to a statement issued by the Royal Government of Cambodia, visas will be waived for Chinese nationals from June 15 to October 15, 2026, under the new “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign. The decision is appreciated by leading tourist organizations and celebrities operating in Hainan Province, who have promised to assist in bringing more Chinese tourists to the country, which should be at least half-a-million, compared to only 300,000 at present.

The declaration was made by the Honorable Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, during his working visit to the province where he was accompanied by high-ranking members of the Royal Government of Cambodia and private sector executives. During the visit, he visited state-owned and privately owned tourism organizations and travel celebrities in the city of Haikou, Hainan Province.

Strategic Promotion in Hainan Province

During a promotional visit to Hainan Province, H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, led a Cambodian delegation and senior private sector representatives to meet with state-owned and private tourism enterprises, as well as key travel influencers in Haikou City. Mr. Sun Haigui, Deputy Director of Haikou Municipal Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, Publication and Sports, emphasized Cambodia’s cultural, historical, natural, and hospitality tourism potential, noting that the visa exemption would encourage even more Chinese travelers to visit the Kingdom.

All 15 participating enterprises expressed strong support for the policy and pledged to actively contribute to reaching the 500,000-visitor goal in 2026. These enterprises have a proven record of bringing over 300,000 Chinese tourists to Cambodia since 2016, reflecting the robust potential for sector expansion.

Tourism Sector Growth and Economic Impact

The visa exemption is expected to generate substantial tourism sector growth in Cambodia:

• Increase in hotel occupancy and hospitality revenue, particularly in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and coastal provinces.
• Expansion of cultural and eco-tourism offerings, highlighting Cambodia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, natural landscapes, and community-based tourism experiences.
• Boost in F&B, entertainment, and local services, supporting restaurants, transport operators, guides, and retail outlets.
• Increased business and MICE travel, facilitating conferences, incentive trips, and corporate tourism activities.
• Strengthened investment in tourism infrastructure, including improved airports, resorts, and transport connectivity, to accommodate higher visitor numbers.

The policy also encourages off-peak season tourism, leveraging Cambodia’s green season to balance visitor flows throughout the year while creating new opportunities for sustainable tourism development.

Enhancing Travel Connectivity

With two chartered flights per week operating between China and Cambodia during the green season, access is simplified, making travel convenient and attractive. The policy also provides opportunities for tour operators and hospitality providers to design customized travel packages, further stimulating the tourism ecosystem.

Additionally, Cambodia’s government requested support from Chinese partners to promote the visa exemption policy, tourism potential, and investment opportunities, expanding awareness in Hainan Province and other regions of China, which will enhance international visitor flows.

Bilateral Cooperation and Private Sector Engagement

During the Hainan meetings, discussions focused on:

• Developing specialized tourism packages for Chinese visitors.
• Conducting FAM Trips for tour operators, media, and influencers.
• Launching joint promotional campaigns to increase visibility of Cambodia as a green-season destination.
• Strengthening private sector partnerships, including hotels, airlines, and travel agencies.
• Expanding Chinese tourist flows while maintaining high-quality tourism standards and services.

These measures aim to maximize the economic and social benefits of Chinese arrivals, contributing to long-term tourism sector resilience and growth.

Long-Term Tourism Sector Prospects

The visa exemption and green season campaign are expected to:

• Increase international arrivals and length of stay, generating higher tourism revenue.
• Expand hospitality sector capacity, creating jobs in hotels, resorts, and supporting services.
• Encourage investment in leisure, cultural, and eco-tourism infrastructure, enhancing Cambodia’s competitiveness in Southeast Asia.
• Strengthen China-Cambodia tourism ties, fostering repeat visitation and cultural exchange.
• Promote regional tourism development, benefiting both urban centers and rural destinations.

However, by targeting 500,000 Chinese tourists, Cambodia is leveraging visa liberalization to stimulate the broader tourism economy, increase hospitality sector performance, and position itself as a safe, accessible, and high-value destination.

Visa Exemption as a Catalyst for Tourism Growth

With the visa exemption for Chinese citizens being implemented through the support of the tourism industry companies based out of Hainan, Cambodia’s travel industry will be drastically changed in 2026. Given that the targeted number of tourists from China is estimated to be 500,000, the program helps develop the country’s hospitality sector, attracts private investments, and improves Cambodia’s image as a safe, appealing, and welcoming country. Through this policy, Cambodia is creating a stronger relationship between their tourist destinations and China.

Image Source: Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia