The yr 2025 introduced difficulties for Cambodia’s tourism business. The post-pandemic restoration was once asymmetric. Some segments remained sturdy, however susceptible spots persevered.
The Ministry of Tourism launched legit knowledge in overdue January 2026. Cambodia welcomed 5.57 million global vacationers remaining yr. This determine marks a 16.9% decline from the 6.7 million arrivals recorded in 2024. It additionally stays 15.7% beneath the 2019 benchmark of 6.61 million. Those numbers display {that a} complete rebound has now not came about. The restoration is inconsistent, and the field has now not regained its former pace.
Seasonal patterns differed sharply between the yr’s two halves. The primary part confirmed small positive aspects, however the second one part bogged down. The 3rd and fourth quarters dropped via -38% and -37.2% in comparison to 2024. Those drops erased previous growth. December 2025 confirmed the worst of this pattern with most effective 396,911 arrivals. That quantity is 43.2% less than December 2024. Analysts hooked up this decline to frame tensions and armed forces clashes with Thailand. Warfare in areas like Battambang and Siem Reap disrupted land crossings right through the prime season. This brought about travel cancellations, go back and forth advisories, and decrease self belief within the area.
Transferring Modes of Arrival and the Erosion of Regional Neighbors
Vacationers reached Cambodia in a different way in 2025. Air arrivals changed into extra commonplace and accounted for 51.3% of overall inflows. Robust will increase at Sihanoukville Global Airport (+144.5%) drove this enlargement. Phnom Penh Global Airport additionally neared its 2019 efficiency ranges. Land and sea arrivals fell via round -37%. This drop connects to the pointy lower in guests from neighboring ASEAN international locations. Total, ASEAN guests dropped 34.5%.
This shift modified the assets of Cambodia’s tourism. Conventional ASEAN markets shrank. Arrivals from Thailand fell via -52.4% to simply over 1 million. Guests from Laos dropped via -60.7%. Vietnam remained the highest supply marketplace with about 1.22 million guests. It carried out higher than others however nonetheless declined via -8.8%. Border conflicts, closures, and safety issues stopped short-haul regional go back and forth.
Vibrant Spots: China’s Resurgence and Rising Diversification
Lengthy-haul and numerous markets presented just right information. The Chinese language marketplace recovered strongly. It delivered 1.2 million guests. It is a 41.5% build up over 2024. China now represents 21.6% of all global arrivals. It has turn out to be a prime supply of restoration once more. Visa lend a hand, new flight routes, and explicit promotion supported this enlargement.
Efforts to draw other markets labored in different areas:
- Europe grew via +3.2% total. The UK (+10.4%), France (+3.4%), Poland (+20.7%), and Uzbekistan (+143.6%) confirmed positive aspects. The Americas stayed most commonly solid (-1.9%).
- Africa grew via +8.7%. North African international locations like Morocco and Tunisia carried out neatly.
Those tendencies display a shift towards long-distance guests who arrive via air.
Home Tourism as a Stabilizing Drive
Global go back and forth modified steadily, however home tourism remained stable. Cambodian guests (KHM) to more than a few areas rose via 11.7% in 2025. Job was once sturdy in Phnom Penh and the Coastal Zone, together with Sihanoukville. This native hobby helped toughen the business. Fundamental financial process endured in lodges, eating places, and services and products. It in part offset the global downturn.
Financial Implications and Strategic Crossroads
Cambodia’s tourism contributed about 9.4% to GDP in 2024. This was once down from over 12% ahead of the pandemic. Knowledge from 2025 raised issues in regards to the sector’s trail. Income estimates confirmed modest enlargement to more or less USD 3.7 billion. That is up about 3% even with fewer guests. Shifts towards higher-spending air arrivals most likely brought about this.
Key dangers and priorities come with:
- Heavy reliance on China: This exposes the field to downturns in that unmarried marketplace.
- Decrease regional competitiveness: ASEAN declines display this. It comes from logistical obstacles, border problems, and more potent festival from neighbors.
- Pressing want for wider markets: The rustic should achieve Europe, non-ASEAN Asia, the Heart East, and rising markets like Africa.
- Upmarket positioning: The common duration of keep stopped rising at round 7.1 days. Higher customer reports may just spice up spending.
The yr 2025 was once now not a complete go back to pre-pandemic highs. It was once a yr of painful however important alternate. Cambodia’s tourism sector faces a call. It should take care of the lack of conventional short-haul regional guests. It should additionally use the inflow of long-distance vacationers and robust home call for.
An enduring restoration calls for direct motion. Officers want versatile insurance policies and expanded air connectivity. This contains new routes and airport upgrades. Entrepreneurs should create campaigns for various teams. The field wishes choices past iconic websites like Angkor Wat. Those come with coastal locations, ecotourism, and cultural reports. Cambodia has wealthy heritage, herbal attractiveness, and a just right location. Those fundamentals permit it to rebound strongly. Regional festival is fierce. The rustic should adapt briefly. The duties forward are laborious.
