Cambodia

According to Angkor Enterprise’s report: - From Jan-Sep 2025, the Angkor Archaeological Park registered 62,559 Chinese tourists, +12.8% YoY - From Jan-Sep 2025, the park attracted a total of 705,269 foreigners from 171 countries and regions, generating a gross revenue of $32.7 million USD from ticket sales - China was the fourth most significant source of international tourist arrivals to Angkor, after the U.S., Britain, and France - In Sep 2025 alone, China was the number one source of foreign visitors to the site, with 4,813 Chinese tourists

Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism and Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Culture agreed to improve bilateral tourism cooperation and boost tourism exchange between both countries during the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat 2025. A total of 45,895 Singaporean tourists visited Cambodia in 2024, +4.6% YoY. From Jan-Aug 2025, Cambodia recorded 29,121 Singaporean tourist arrivals +3.7% vs 2023

Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism and Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Culture agreed to improve bilateral tourism cooperation and boost tourism exchange between both countries during the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat 2025

H World Group from China will expand its properties in Cambodia with the opening of JI Hotel Phnom Penh City Centre with 130 rooms in Q2 2026 and JI Hotel Phnom Penh Mekong Riverside with 110 rooms in Q3 2026

According to the Thai Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), trade between Thailand and Cambodia dropped by 99.9% YoY to just 10 million THB in Aug, primarily due to checkpoint closures, marking the second consecutive monthly decline. However, the department still forecasts a 1-2% growth for total border trade in 2025, reaching up to 1.85 trillion THB, largely propelled by transit trade. Among Thailand's 4 neighbours, Malaysia recorded the highest border trade value at 26.9 billion THB (-5.7%). The DFT has implemented several relief measures for the estimated 100 affected businesses, including prioritising their participation in 6 border trade fairs in 2026

During the World Tourism Conference 2025 in Malacca, Cambodian Minister of Tourism with the Governor of Malacca and President of the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) to discuss expanding tourism cooperation. The Minister discussed expanding into niches such as medical, religious, culinary, and MICE tourism. The Malacca Governor pledged to help promote Muslim tourism and encourage DMDI network investors to invest in Cambodia

During the World Tourism Conference 2025 in Malacca, Cambodian Minister of Tourism with the Governor of Malacca and President of the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) to discuss expanding tourism cooperation. The Minister discussed expanding into niches such as medical, religious, culinary, and MICE tourism. The Malacca Governor pledged to help promote Muslim tourism and encourage DMDI network investors to invest in Cambodia

The Ministry of Tourism has announced that Cambodia will host the Cambodia Muslim Friendly Tourism Forum and Fair 2025 from 9-11 Oct at the Al-Serkal Mosque in Phnom Penh, under the theme “Assalamu Alaikum Cambodia: A Safe, Warm and Friendly Destination.” The event aims to promote the country as an inclusive and friendly destination, highlight tourism potential aligned with Cambodia Muslim-Friendly Standards, and enhance preparedness to welcome Muslim tourists

On 27 Sep, at the United Nations General Assembly, the Thai Foreign Minister publicly accused Cambodia of continuing to "lie, act provocatively, and violate its ceasefire agreement", specifically refuting Cambodian claims of unprovoked attacks and the forced eviction of civilians from villages he insisted were within Thai territory

During the Tourism EXPO Japan 2025, the Cambodian Minister of Tourism met with an All Nippon Airways (ANA) representative, expressing appreciation for the airline's role in promoting Cambodian tourism. The Minister requested that ANA review the possibility of resuming direct flights to Cambodia, citing the country's new Techo International Airport as a factor that would help boost international passenger traffic between the 2 nations

According to the report of the Ministry of Tourism (MoT): Cambodia welcomed 2,144,224 tourists during the 3-day 2025 Pchum Ben Festival (21-23 Sep), +20.1% YoY 2,119,781 were domestic tourists and local citizens, +21.2% , while 24,443 were foreign visitors 5 provinces receiving the highest number of visitors were Siem Reap (238,201), Battambang (218,706), Preah Sihanouk (216,956), Kampong Cham (210,573), and Kampong Chhnang (137,833) According to the Director of the Angkor Tourism and Culture Development Department of the Apsara National Authority, 36,300 tourists attended to see the Equinox at Angkor Wat during the 3 days, including 2,576 international tourists and around 33,740 domestic tourists

According to Cambodian Prime Minister, from Jan-Aug 2025, Cambodia welcomed more than 4 million international visitors, and 17.28 million domestic tourists (+53% YoY)

From 25-28 Sep, the Cambodian Minister of Tourism led a high-level delegation to the Tourism Japan Expo 2025 in Nagoya City in Aichi. The participation aims to promote cultural attractions, expand travel options, and develop packages tailored for Japanese travellers. The Minister is scheduled to meet with both the Governor of Aichi Prefecture and the Mayor of Nagoya City

Cambodian Minister of Tourism and a delegation met with Aichi Prefecture Governor at the Prefectural Government Hall. Discussions centered on joint promotion of both destinations, organising joint tourism events, and exploring the establishment of direct flight options to ensure consistent growth in visitor numbers

From Jan-Aug 2025, Cambodia welcomed over 73,000 Japanese tourists. The Cambodian Minister of Tourism met with the Japanese travel company MS Tourist Ltd. at the Tourism EXPO Japan 2025 in Nagoya, requesting their continued support to attract more Japanese visitors. The Minister acknowledged the company's active role in promoting Cambodian tourism, noting that their recommendations would be integrated into new policy measures

During the 3-day Pchum Ben festival, Battambang province recorded 218,706 visitors, +1.17% YoY. The number of domestic tourists totalled 218,141 (+1.20%), while the number of international tourists was -8.87% YoY with 565 visitors. The Deputy Director of the Battambang Provincial Department of Tourism noted that accommodation in the province was almost fully booked, indicating a high influx of travellers to resorts, cultural sites, and temples

Preah Sihanouk Province welcomed 216,956 tourists during the three-day Pchum Ben holiday (21-23 Sep), +25.76% YoY. Domestic tourism saw the largest volume at 211,288 visitors (+27.59%), while 5,668 international tourists visited (+15.25%). According to the Director of the Provincial Department of Tourism, the majority of visitors (214,071) went to beaches and resorts, +27.30%. This includes 209,870 domestic tourists, +27.26%, and 4,201 international visitors, +29.50%. 2,309 tourists visited the islands, +18.47%, including 1,412 domestic visitors (+108.56%) and 897 foreign visitors (-23.48%). Air passenger traffic was +40.48% with 10 flights carrying 576 passengers. Of these, 570 were international passengers (+41.79%), while 6 were domestic passengers (-25%)

According to a report from the Head of the Kep Provincial Tourism Department, during the 3-day Pchum Ben festival, the province received over 90,000 tourists, +14.23% YoY

According to the Director of the Kampot Provincial Tourism Department, the province recorded a total of 146,663 tourists during the Pchum Ben festival, including 1,762 foreign tourists. Despite rainy weather, tourists visited several key sites, including the Phnom Bokor resort area, Teuk Chhou area, Kon Chat commune's agro-tourism area, the tourism community, and the Tumnop Melek resort area. He stated that accommodation services were almost fully booked across the province

Thailand's Prime Minister announced the continued closure of the border with Cambodia. He stated that there would be no negotiations as long as pressures and weapons were present. He noted that the Thai military has been given full authority to handle border operations and reclaim any encroached territory

A group of filmmakers from China's Hengdian World Studios, often called 'China's Hollywood', has expressed interest in a new partnership with Cambodia to boost tourism. Following a meeting with Cambodia's Tourism Minister, the film producers plan to create short films using modern technology to promote the country to Chinese and global audiences. The films will highlight Cambodia’s peace, security, and investment opportunities. Both sides have agreed to start with a study tour to scout locations and will organise a forum to promote the kingdom’s tourism sector

The Thai-Cambodian territorial conflict has severely impacted cross-border trade. According to the Department of Foreign Trade, in Jul 2025, exports plunged by 97.5% YoY to 370 million baht, while imports dropped by 99.8% to 6 million baht. Thai companies, particularly small and medium-sized ones in the garment, textile, shoe, hotel, and restaurant sectors, are concerned and are hesitant to make new business plans. The Vice-Chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry said that new Thai investment projects in Cambodia have halted, and banks are reluctant to approve loans for expansion because of the volatile situation. The Thai government has extended work permits for foreign labourers, while companies are looking to replace workers with machinery and seek new investment opportunities in other countries like Vietnam and Indonesia

As of 18 Sep, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) has banned all cars, tricycles, and motorbikes from the area directly in front of Angkor Wat, permitting only bicycles and pedestrians. Vehicles will now be redirected to a new bypass, and the ANA is calling on the public and tourism operators to fully cooperate with the new rule

The Ministry of Tourism and the Siem Reap Provincial Administration jointly organised a 4-day ASEAN Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Siem Reap, focusing on "The ASEAN Safety and Hygiene for Workers and Community in Tourism Industry”. It aims to promote safety and hygiene standards within the tourism industry to boost tourist confidence. According to the Deputy Governor of Siem Reap, the province attracted nearly 2.9 million tourists in H1 2025, +50% YoY

Grab integrated its services into Alipay+ Voyager, an AI travel agent of Ant International’s global wallet gateway. Alipay+ Voyager is available in Alipay (China), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR) and GCash (the Philippines). The users visiting Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar can book Grab through Alipay+ Voyager. Alipay+ connects 36 partner e-wallets, with 1.7 billion users and 100 million in-store merchants in 70 markets

In a meeting held in Phnom Penh on 16 Sep, Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts and a delegation from Art Exhibition China discussed cultural cooperation. The Chinese representatives requested to borrow Cambodian artefacts for a future exhibition in China. In response, the Minister expressed her readiness to collaborate and announced that Cambodia would organise a mobile exhibition in China in early 2026

Thai crowd-control police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse a crowd of around 200 Cambodian civilians who had reportedly damaged border security wire in Sa Kaeo's Khok Sung district. The confrontation escalated when more Cambodians joined the group and allegedly assaulted Thai security personnel, prompting the police action. Cambodian authorities reported at least 23 injuries, while the Thai army stated that some of their personnel were also injured. Both nations have filed formal protests, and the incident is expected to be a key topic at a General Border Committee meeting on 10 Oct

Cambodian Prime Minister announced that the minimum wage for workers in Cambodia's garment, textile, footwear, travel goods, and bag manufacturing industries will increase from $208 to $210 USD per month, starting in 2026

During the second Tripartite Mechanism Meeting, held virtually between Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, and major Chinese travel companies, Cambodia and China agreed to a comprehensive action plan to boost Chinese tourism and air connectivity between the 2 countries. Both sides agreed to encourage major Chinese airlines to increase direct flights to Cambodia's main airports, including the new Techo International Airport. Cambodia's Minister of Tourism specifically requested that Chinese provinces and the private sector help bring airlines to destinations like Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces. He also proposed an action plan to implement existing agreements and boost fam trip and film tourism between Cambodia and China

PM Anutin announced that Thailand will not reopen border checkpoints with Cambodia until the territorial conflicts are solved through both diplomatic and military approaches. Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade reported that the Thai-Cambodian border closure had caused border trade between the two countries to fall by 97.5% in Jul. The PM vowed to look into problems faced by Thai businesses

After a 10-hour negotiation in Sa Kaeo on 16 Sep, Cambodia agreed to cooperate with Thailand to dismantle scammer networks. During the meeting, Thai officials provided detailed intelligence to Cambodia on the locations of call centre gangs. These gangs operate in Cambodia and are known for targeting Thai victims with tech-based scams and human trafficking. As part of the agreement, Cambodia committed to delivering a comprehensive action plan to crack down on these operations within 1 month

Due to heavy rainfall occurring on 15 Sep, the Kulen Mountain waterfall area in Cambodia was temporarily closed to tourists. The floodwaters overflowed lakes and ponds, flooding villagers' huts and entertainment venues. Authorities plan to reopen the area to tourists once the floodwaters have receded

Radisson Hotel Group signed an agreement to build the Radisson Hotel & Suites Bay of Lights Sihanoukville, a new 176-key property located in the Gateway District, the initial phase of the Bay of Lights. The project is part of a government-led initiative to transform Sihanoukville into a Special Economic Zone by 2038. In addition to a variety of amenities, the hotel will benefit from its location within the 934-hectare Bay of Lights development, which is projected to attract 650,000 annual visitors to its convention, events, and leisure facilities

Etihad Airways will launch a new direct flight route from Abu Dhabi to Techo International Airport in Cambodia on 3 Oct. The airline's Regional Managing Director for Asia & Australia announced the new service during a meeting with Cambodia's Minister of Tourism

Camfood & Camhotel 2025, a B2B food, beverage, and hospitality exhibition, is scheduled to take place from 22-24 Oct in Phnom Penh. The event is expected to attract over 6,000 trade professionals and 250 local and international exhibitors. It will feature a range of professional activities, including a seminar series, the "Heritage on a Plate" programme, and a tourism career fair

Prayer rooms have been officially established at Techo International Airport and Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport to better serve both domestic and international Muslim tourists

The "Blue Green Ecotourism" project was officially launched by WWF-Cambodia in partnership with the Cambodia Ecotourism Network (CEN) and private sector partners. The initiative is funded by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and will run for 14 months, from Aug 2025 to Sep 2026. It will support rural communities, local tourism providers, and the national ecotourism sector, focusing on empowering women and youth by providing opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and professional skill development

The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) and Nanjing Tuniu International Travel Service, a Chinese online travel company, signed a strategic partnership to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia. The agreement aims to enhance Cambodia's appeal as a top destination for Chinese travellers

On 12 Sep, Cambodian Tourism Minister met with the Vice President of Nanjing Tuniu International Travel Service Co., Ltd., to discuss promoting Cambodia's cultural and natural attractions to Chinese and international tourists. The meeting focused on a new strategic partnership to develop tourism packages, with a particular emphasis on in-depth tours, family study trips, and honeymoon getaways. Both sides hope Tuniu's large user base of over 120 million will increase Cambodia's visibility in the global tourism market

The Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) and Visa signed an MoU to boost Cambodia's tourism sector. This partnership aims to promote Cambodia as a destination to Visa's global customer base. The collaboration will also involve engaging local businesses in joint promotional campaigns and leveraging Visa's market intelligence to create more targeted and effective marketing strategies

On 10 Sep, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the new French Ambassador to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. They are working towards a Strategic Partnership, with a focus on economic cooperation, including French investment in renewable energy, infrastructure, and tourism. The 2 sides also look forward to the 3rd Session of Bilateral Political Consultations in late 2025 in Phnom Penh

At the ITE HCMC 2025, Cambodian Minister of Tourism emphasised that the future of the industry hinges on digital and green transformation. He outlined Cambodia’s initiatives, including the "Visit Cambodia in the Green Season" campaign to encourage year-round travel, and the implementation of ASEAN Green Hotel Standards to foster sustainable practices. The minister also advocated for strong diplomatic ties, mandatory digitalisation, and the mainstreaming of green practices to ensure the sector's long-term prosperity while preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage

Caretaker Deputy Defence Minister said that the Thai-Cambodian border reopening is still at an early stage, and that more steps need to be taken to reopen the gates. The Royal Thai Armed Forces Chief of Staff stated: “If Cambodia does not withdraw soldiers from the border, other issues, including the closure or reopening of checkpoints, should not be tabled for talks … There’s no need to [reopen the border] as long as Cambodia has not shown us sincerity”

From 8-11 Sep, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) and the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) launched a 4-day training course in Siem Reap to enhance national heritage tourism. The programme aims to improve the capacity and quality of the tourism sector by focusing on conservation practices and developing cultural heritage as a sustainable tourism product. According to the Deputy Director General of the ANA, the course will provide participants with insights from Korean experts, particularly on presenting the value of intangible heritage and community life in the Angkor region

On 10 Sep, Cambodia's Minister of Tourism met with the CEO of the Chinese company Guilin Junda Transportation to discuss a potential large-scale tourism project. The proposed development would use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve services and the visitor experience. The Minister welcomed the initiative, and the company has committed to moving forward with a feasibility study

The Acting Thai Defence Minister reported that Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement during the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Cambodia on the withdrawal of heavy weapons and military equipment, mine clearance, suppression of online crime and scams in Cambodia, and partial border reopening. The Regional Border Committee will discuss resuming cargo transport through secure crossings, starting from Chanthaburi and Trat provinces

Malaysian Chief of Defence Force said Malaysia will dispatch a team to Thailand to discuss the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Interim Observation Team (IOT), which has been tasked with monitoring the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire. He noted IOT personnel from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia had been deployed to Cambodia, with Brunei and Singapore to follow soon

Following the 1st Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Koh Kong province on 10 Sep, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a series of measures to reduce border tensions. Key outcomes include an agreement to remove heavy weapons from forward positions, establish a joint demining task force, and improve communication to prevent future clashes. They also committed to combating illegal activities like drug trafficking and human smuggling. The two nations are also exploring reopening certain checkpoints to facilitate cross-border trade. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Thailand within 30 days

During a meeting on 8 Sep, Cambodian PM and Philippine President discussed ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship. Both leaders agreed on the need to expand trade and to enhance tourism cooperation. On the same day, a Philippines-Cambodia CEO Roundtable was also hosted at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, bringing together business leaders from both countries to discuss trade and investment. The President of Cambodia Chamber of Commerce and Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council-Cambodia noted that the recent signing of a Double Taxation Avoidance agreement was also noted as a tool to encourage cross-border investment

On 8 Sep, Cambodian Prime Minister and visiting Philippine President signed 3 key agreements to boost bilateral cooperation. The documents focus on improving air connectivity, promoting collaboration in higher education, and strengthening efforts to combat cross-border crime. During the meeting, both leaders also pledged to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade and investment

From 8-23 Sep, the Kan Ben and Pchum Ben festivals will be held to pay homage to the departed souls of ancestors, parents, and teachers. The Ministry of Tourism has urged all tourism operators to enhance service quality and maintain fair, reasonable pricing during the holiday period. The President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents said that the festival will generate high travel volumes and increased demand for transport and accommodation

In a formal message sent to Bangkok, Cambodian Prime Minister congratulated Anutin Charnvirakul on becoming Thailand's 32nd Prime Minister, expressing hope for strengthened bilateral relations. He pledged to work with Anutin to "restore normalcy in bilateral relations" and "rebuild mutual trust" to transform the shared border into one of "peace, cooperation, development, and shared prosperity"

On 5 Sep, during the 19th HCMC International Tourism Expo, Cambodia's Minister of Tourism and Vietnam's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism discussed a new MoU to strengthen tourism cooperation. The new MoU aims to jointly promote the countries' tourism potential, and develop new tourism products that are competitive and focus on value, sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity

The recent Thai-Cambodia border dispute resulted in 43 deaths and mass displacement, triggering a significant exodus of Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand. The Thai Ministry of Labour reported 22,546 Cambodian workers had left as of 19 Aug, while the Cambodian National Committee for Counter Trafficking reported 864,114 returnees on 14 Aug. The Executive Director of the Labour Rights Promotion Network Foundation estimated the total number could be as high as 1.5-2 million people. Thailand is facing a labour shortage, as multiple sectors, particularly construction, fisheries, food processing, and agriculture, rely heavily on Cambodian workers. Cambodia is dealing with a labour glut, with its economy struggling to provide employment for the hundreds of thousands of returning workers

The Ministry of Tourism in Cambodia issued instructions for tourism services during the upcoming Kan Ben and Pchum Ben festivals, which run from 8-22 Sep. Tourism agencies and businesses must cooperate with authorities to ensure security, public order, and a clean environment. All products and services must have their prices clearly displayed. Pricing must also be kept at a reasonable level

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport in Cambodia announced the temporary closure of 488 schools in Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Koh Kong, and Pursat provinces. Some schools in affected areas are being used as temporary shelters for displaced civilians