International tourist arrivals to Cambodia dropped 43.7% year-on-year to 2.46 million during January to September 2026, down from 4.37 million in the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism Cambodia. The country’s primary sources of inbound visitors during this period were Vietnam, China, and the United States.
Vietnamese tourist numbers declined by 28% to 651,486 arrivals, while Chinese visitors fell 27.6% to 643,314. Tourist arrivals from the United States experienced a smaller decrease of 5.6%, totaling 140,276 visitors during the first nine months of 2026.
Factors Behind the Tourism Decline
Tourism Minister Huot Hak attributed the sharp reduction in arrivals to several
regional and global challenges. He cited negative publicity linked to online scam networks that target travelers, ongoing friction along the Cambodia-Thailand border, and conflicts in the Middle East that have contributed to higher fuel prices and subdued global travel demand.
These issues have collectively dampened enthusiasm for travel to Cambodia, disrupting what has historically been a steady flow of international tourists into the country.
Economic Context and 2025 Performance
Tourism continues to be a foundational sector in Cambodia’s economy, alongside agriculture, construction, real estate, and manufacturing exports including garments, footwear, and travel goods. The steep decline in arrivals during the first three quarters of 2026
contrasts strongly with Cambodia’s performance in 2025, when the country welcomed 5.57 million international tourists and generated approximately $3.87 billion in gross tourism revenue.
Official Statements and Outlook
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, expressed confidence in a tourism recovery. He stated, “Cambodia’s firm commitment to tackling online scams will restore its international reputation and rebuild trust among global travellers.”
He added, “By lowering travel barriers and actively addressing safety concerns, Cambodia will certainly win back both first-time and returning global travellers.”
The Ministry of Tourism Cambodia continues to monitor arrival data as the country seeks to address the factors contributing to the decline and restore international visitation levels.
