Cambodia Receives Over 1 million International Tourists in First Quarter of 2026
Cambodia welcomed more than 1 million international tourists during the first quarter of 2026, according to new data released by the Ministry of Tourism.
However, the tourism sector experienced a significant slowdown compared to the same period last year, as global geopolitical tensions and rising fuel prices continued to impact international travel demand worldwide.
International Tourist Arrivals Drop Sharply
From January to March 2026, Cambodia recorded approximately 1.01 million international visitors, representing a 44.8% decline compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Despite the drop, the country continued attracting travelers from several key international markets.
Top Tourist Sources for Cambodia in Q1 2026
According to the ministry’s report, the largest groups of foreign visitors came from:
China – 242,387 visitors (down 15.3%)
Vietnam – 235,444 visitors (down 22.7%)
United States – 64,271 visitors (down 12.9%)
United Kingdom – 44,373 visitors (down 11.9%)
France – 43,425 visitors (down 16.9%)
Other major tourism markets included Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and Germany.
Popular tourist destinations such as Bayon Temple and the wider Angkor Archaeological Park area continue to attract both domestic and international visitors.
Cambodia Introduces Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Tourists
To boost tourism recovery, the Cambodian government recently announced a temporary visa exemption policy for travelers holding passports from the People's Republic of China, including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Under the new policy:
Chinese tourists can stay in Cambodia for up to 14 days without a visa
The program runs from June 15 to October 15, 2026
Travelers only need to complete an electronic arrival card (E-arrival Card)
No visa application or fee is required
Multiple entries are allowed during the promotion period
The policy does not apply to Taiwanese passport holders.
Officials hope the initiative will encourage more Chinese travelers to visit Cambodia during the second half of the year.
Tourism Industry Optimistic About Recovery
Onheng Sophak said the visa exemption program could become a major opportunity for Cambodia’s tourism industry.
He explained that easier entry procedures and reduced travel costs may significantly improve Cambodia’s attractiveness to Chinese visitors.
Industry leaders remain optimistic that tourist arrivals from China will gradually recover following the launch of the visa-free initiative.
Global Challenges Continue to Affect Tourism
Experts say the tourism slowdown in early 2026 reflects broader global challenges affecting international travel, including:
Rising fuel prices
Economic uncertainty
Regional geopolitical tensions
Higher travel costs worldwide
Even with the decline, Cambodia continues working to strengthen its tourism sector through new policies, promotional campaigns, and international partnerships aimed at rebuilding visitor confidence.
Tourism remains one of Cambodia’s most important economic sectors, supporting jobs, local businesses, hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and cultural heritage sites across the country.
0 Comments