The year 2025 brought difficulties for Cambodia's tourism industry. The post-pandemic recovery was uneven. Some segments remained strong, but weak spots persisted.
The Ministry of Tourism released official data in late January 2026. Cambodia welcomed 5.57 million international tourists last year. This figure marks a 16.9% decline from the 6.7 million arrivals recorded in 2024. It also remains 15.7% below the 2019 benchmark of 6.61 million. These numbers show that a full rebound has not happened. The recovery is inconsistent, and the sector has not regained its former speed.
Seasonal patterns differed sharply between the year's two halves. The first half showed small gains, but the second half slowed down. The third and fourth quarters dropped by -38% and -37.2% compared to 2024. These drops erased earlier progress. December 2025 showed the worst of this trend with only 396,911 arrivals. That number is 43.2% lower than December 2024. Analysts connected this decline to border tensions and military clashes with Thailand. Conflict in regions like Battambang and Siem Reap disrupted land crossings during the high season. This caused trip cancellations, travel advisories, and lower confidence in the region.
Shifting Modes of Arrival and the Erosion of Regional Neighbors
Tourists reached Cambodia differently in 2025. Air arrivals became more common and accounted for 51.3% of total inflows. Strong increases at Sihanoukville International Airport (+144.5%) drove this growth. Phnom Penh International Airport also neared its 2019 performance levels. Land and sea arrivals fell by around -37%. This drop connects to the sharp decrease in visitors from neighboring ASEAN countries. Overall, ASEAN visitors dropped 34.5%.
This shift changed the sources of Cambodia's tourism. Traditional ASEAN markets shrank. Arrivals from Thailand fell by -52.4% to just over 1 million. Visitors from Laos dropped by -60.7%. Vietnam remained the top source market with about 1.22 million visitors. It performed better than others but still declined by -8.8%. Border conflicts, closures, and security concerns stopped short-haul regional travel.
Bright Spots: China's Resurgence and Emerging Diversification
Long-haul and diverse markets offered good news. The Chinese market recovered strongly. It delivered 1.2 million visitors. This is a 41.5% increase over 2024. China now represents 21.6% of all international arrivals. It has become a main source of recovery again. Visa help, new flight routes, and specific promotion supported this growth.
Efforts to attract different markets worked in other regions:
- Europe grew by +3.2% overall. The United Kingdom (+10.4%), France (+3.4%), Poland (+20.7%), and Uzbekistan (+143.6%) showed gains. The Americas stayed mostly stable (-1.9%).
- Africa grew by +8.7%. North African countries like Morocco and Tunisia performed well.
These trends show a shift toward long-distance visitors who arrive by air.
Domestic Tourism as a Stabilizing Force
International travel changed often, but domestic tourism remained steady. Cambodian visitors (KHM) to various regions rose by 11.7% in 2025. Activity was strong in Phnom Penh and the Coastal Zone, including Sihanoukville. This local interest helped support the industry. Basic economic activity continued in hotels, restaurants, and services. It partially offset the international downturn.
Economic Implications and Strategic Crossroads
Cambodia’s tourism contributed about 9.4% to GDP in 2024. This was down from over 12% before the pandemic. Data from 2025 raised concerns about the sector's path. Revenue estimates showed modest growth to roughly USD 3.7 billion. This is up about 3% even with fewer visitors. Shifts toward higher-spending air arrivals likely caused this.
Key risks and priorities include:
- Heavy reliance on China: This exposes the sector to downturns in that single market.
- Lower regional competitiveness: ASEAN declines show this. It comes from logistical barriers, border issues, and stronger competition from neighbors.
- Urgent need for wider markets: The country must reach Europe, non-ASEAN Asia, the Middle East, and emerging markets like Africa.
- Upmarket positioning: The average length of stay stopped growing at around 7.1 days. Better visitor experiences could boost spending.
The year 2025 was not a full return to pre-pandemic highs. It was a year of painful but necessary change. Cambodia’s tourism sector faces a choice. It must handle the loss of traditional short-haul regional visitors. It must also use the influx of long-distance travelers and strong domestic demand.
A lasting recovery demands direct action. Officials need flexible policies and expanded air connectivity. This includes new routes and airport upgrades. Marketers must create campaigns for diverse groups. The sector needs options beyond iconic sites like Angkor Wat. These include coastal destinations, ecotourism, and cultural experiences. Cambodia has rich heritage, natural beauty, and a good location. These basics allow it to rebound strongly. Regional competition is fierce. The country must adapt quickly. The tasks ahead are hard.
