Cambodia

The PM has cancelled the planned development of land surrounding the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center. He also ordered the company who had cleared the land to stop its activities and replant trees

Russia has donated 500 monkeypox test kits to Cambodia

The Tourism Ministry and the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia organised the "Friendship of Mekong River Senior Football Tournament" at Siem Reap Stadium on 4-7 Aug, with the participation of 21 senior players from Cambodia, 110 from Thailand and Laos, and 20 from Vietnam. The event was held “to expand the rich tourism products and increase international cooperation in the countries along the Mekong River”. Cambodia also aims to develop human resources in sports tourism and attract domestic and international sports fans to the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, which it will host in 2023

India plans to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia by expanding road connectivity between India and Cambodia via Myanmar and Thailand. India also looks to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia in the ASEAN and Mekong-Ganga frameworks in various areas, including tourism. The Cambodian PM also asked India to consider establishing direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism

Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed 83,854 international tourists in Jan-Jul, up 13.5-fold YoY. It generated $3.37 million USD in revenue from ticket sales, up 13-fold YoY. It welcomed 23,871 international visitors in Jul alone, up 52-fold MoM. The Tourism Minister said that foreign tourists purchasing the one-day entrance ticket can be used for a two-day visit, whilst the three-day pass will be increased to a five-day visit and the seven-day pass to 10 days

PM Hun Sen announced that foreigners who have lived and worked in Cambodia for two years or more will be allowed to visit Angkor Archaeological Park for free, as it will boost tourism and encourage more international visitors to the site. The Tourism Ministry said that the plan has not been implemented yet as authorities are still finalising the details, and that it will be implemented “in the near future”

Kampot Tourism Department reported that the province welcomes around 30,000 tourists weekly. Kampot currently has 21 tourist resorts, four tourist communities and five camping sites

PM Hun Sen stated that Cambodia aims to welcome 15 million tourists annually, and plans to lift many entry restrictions to attract more tourists

The Health Ministry stated that Cambodia is “ready” to respond to any potential outbreak of monkeypox

The Tourism Ministry regards Chong Kneas as a major tourist destination in Siem Reap and plans to develop the area to attract more tourists. The government has assigned working groups to develop the tourist port as part of the Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2021-2035. The Tourism Minister and other officials visited the area on 1 Aug to listen to the needs and requests of the locals. Deputy Governor of Siem Reap said that an emergency meeting will be held between relevant ministries and representatives of the people to discuss and solve issues for the locals in the tourist areas

The Forestry Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has affirmed that the development in Phnom Tamao by Leng Navatra Company to build a gated community and resort does not affect the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, following a critique from the Wildlife Alliance (WA). WA Director of Wildlife Rescue and Care noted his disappointment that the forest is being developed into a “concrete slab” and believes the site should be developed into an ecotourism site instead. The government further confirmed that the area is used for development as the trees are not growing well, and because it is near the city, the new airport and the Tonle Bati tourist area. The Forestry Administration added that the development of this area is not a sale, but an exchange for further development of Phnom Tamao Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre by improving infrastructure including roads, buildings, parks, spas, reservoirs, as well as the establishment of the National Museum in Phnom Penh, the establishment of a safari park in Siem Reap, the establishment of a botanical garden in Mondulkiri, and the construction of government buildings and facilities

The Foreign Affairs Minister has proposed Qatar to sign an MoU with Cambodia on tourism and economic cooperation

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts plans to apply for UNESCO World Heritage Listing for nine sites in Cambodia, but is “waiting for the opportune time” when fewer applications are being submitted as “chances for listing will be better then”. Over 100 countries have currently applied to list their respective heritage sites. The nine tentative sites to be proposed for listing are Banteay Chhmar temple, Angkor Borei and Phnom Dar, Phnom Kulen National Park, Beng Mealea temple, Prasat Preah Khan in Kampong Svay, Phnom Odong, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, and M-13, a former Khmer Rouge prison in Kampong Speu province

The government has approved investment plans proposed by 23 companies to develop 19 out of the 32 islands in Preah Sihanouk into tourist sites with hotels and resorts. Deputy Governor of Preah Sihanouk revealed that there are four companies investing in four islands in Sihanoukville, seven in nine islands in Koh Rong, and 12 in six islands in Prey Nop. A provincial administration spokesperson noted that the companies that have received approvals include those from Russia, China, and France

Battambang has launched a campaign to “beautify the town and improve public order and safety”, in order to compete for clean city awards. The town will remove porches of houses that are overhanging roads, as well as test 119 homeless people for COVID-19 and drugs and provide them with assistance

The National Bank reported that the inflation rate rose to 6.5% in H1 2022, higher than the 3.4% recorded in H1 2021. Fuel prices for commodities and services also rose 18.2% in H1. It predicts the inflation rate will decline to 3.2% in H2 2022, and predicts a slowdown of oil prices to 9.3% as global crude oil prices are predicted to decline from Jul to end-2022

The government plans to develop six priority tourism zones. Preah Jayavarman-Norodom National Park or Kulen Mountain will be developed as a religious, nature-based, eco-tourism, adventure, research and science tourism destination. The surrounding areas of Banteay Srey Protected Area will be developed as a rural and agro-tourism destination, and Angkor Heritage Site as a world heritage, culture and religious tourism destination. Siem Reap City will be developed as a premier historical heritage city destination, whilst Tonle Sap Lake Area will be developed as a nature-based tourism and ecotourism destination. New Siem Reap Tourist Site will also be developed to accommodate population growth, urban planning, increasing accommodation and tourist demands, and to avoid development pressure in Siem Reap and the Angkor Heritage Site. The short-term development plan for Siem Reap will focus on three areas that include attracting more tourists in central zones by improving Old Market, Pub Street and Siem Reap River areas as well as improvement of roads in the city; expansion of satellite areas of the city along with tourism products development; and setting up management and development mechanisms

Wildlife Alliance reported that they have released four different pairs of endangered gibbons within the Angkor forests, which have bred seven babies. WA rescues around 2,000 animals a year, with many to be released soon to the Angkor forest. Aside from gibbons, 40 other animals have been released into the forest, including silvered langurs, muntjac deers, smooth-coated otters, leopard cats, civets, wreathed hornbills, and green peafowl

Cambodia welcomed 220,937 visitors on the last weekend of Jul, up 3.43% WoW, comprising 204,585 domestic and 16,352 international visitors. Kampot was the most visited destination, followed by Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kep, Kandal, Kampong Speu, and Pursat

The Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan for 2022-2023 has been implemented to boost tourism in the region and regain pre-pandemic tourist arrival numbers. The plan includes 17 strategies and 37 implementation activities for six priority destinations: Angkor Archaeological Park, Phnom Kulen National Park, Banteay Srei Protected Area and its surrounding areas, the Siem Reap town area, the Tonle Sap Lake area, and Siem Reap Thmey Tourism Area. Siem Reap expects to receive over 100,000 international visitors in 2022, and expects it to grow to about 500,000 in 2023. Siem Reap welcomed about 60,000 international visitors in H1 2022, up 1,025% YoY, and one million domestic visitors, up 798% YoY. Siem Reap handled 387 flights in H1

Cambodia reported 47 new COVID-19 cases, to a total of 202 active cases, the highest since 1 Apr

Koh Kong Provincial Administration, Trat Province and the Ministry of Tourism organised a Cambodia-Thailand friendly cycling event across the Koh Kong-Trat border, which attracted over 600 people, including 192 from Cambodia and 421 from Thailand

Cambodia to remain focused on reintroducing tigers as a long-term conservation goal for the government, Ministry of Environment, and WWF-Cambodia

The Tourism Ministry, assisted by the ASEAN Secretariat, hosted the second regional training-of trainers workshop under the ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard in Siem Reap on 27-28 Jul

Travel firm All Dreams Cambodia to promote its “One Step-No Plastic” campaign with a beach cleanup in Kep on 31 Jul

Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary earned around $600,000 USD from the sale of carbon credits. The profits were distributed to fund the development of 20 villages with the amounts ranging from $20,000-$40,000 USD. Cambodia earned around $11.6 million USD from 2016-2020 through carbon credits sale in Keo Seima, Tatai and Southern Cardamom wildlife sanctuaries

Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training’s National Employment Agency (NEA), in partnership with various hiring agencies, held a job fair on 28 Jul, offering a total of 1,003 job vacancies

USAID Prey Lang Baitong Project assisted the Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) in issuing guidelines on the establishment and management of ecotourism communities along the Upper Mekong River, the first of its kind in Cambodia. The guidelines include locating potential new ecotourism communities, selecting committee members, building community capacity, developing ecotourism products, marketing strategies, governance and oversight. It was implemented in Kratie on 27 Jul

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) has launched The Tourism and Hospitality Training Project on 22 Jul, aiming to attract new people into the sector. The project is funded by the Skills Development Fund (SDF) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), and trainees under the programme will also receive financial support. One of the project’s coordinators noted a “serious shortage of staff and qualified human resources” in the hospitality sector, as there is a “lack of motivation” to work in tourism and hospitality. He added that most workers have moved to other sectors such as agriculture, hospitals, food delivery, “and other sustainable work which can guarantee them a living”. He projected that at least 4,000 staff are needed by end-2022 to reopen hotels, restaurants, tour agencies, and guide services in Siem Reap. The training project aims to recruit 1,124 trainees for various sectors within the hospitality industry, with training scheduled to start on 22 Aug

Cambodia recorded 29 new COVID-19 cases, the highest since 23 Apr

The 7th Angkor Empire Marathon to be held at the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap on 7 Aug, after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Around 2,000 runners are expected to participate, of which 300 are foreigners, mostly long-term residents in Cambodia with only around 20% travelling from outside the country

Battambang town administration has banned billboards as preparation to submit the town to be included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. All house and business owners have been instructed to remove all billboards by 1 Aug

60 MSMEs have benefited from the Agro-Food and Tourism Enterprise Recovery Programme (AFTER), which was implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The programme also contributed to direct capacity-building support to at least 462 employees and employers from the agro-food and tourism sectors. The project was launched about two years ago under the Strategic Development Plan for Cambodian Agro-industries 2019-2030

Cambodia’s Acting Minister of Tourism and Singaporean Minister of Culture, Community and Youth have discussed the need to increase flights between the two countries during the SEA Games 2023. The direct Cambodia-Singapore connection via Singapore Airlines and other airlines was regarded as a key factor in promoting Cambodia to international tourists

Cambodia recorded 213,590 tourists on 24-25 Jul, comprising 192,050 domestic and 21,540 international visitors. The figure is down 5.67% WoW, attributed to unfavourable weather and heavy rain that caused flash floods in some areas. Top destinations include Preah Sihanouk (33,174 visitors), Kampot (31,323), Siem Reap (26,743), Battambang (20,512), Phnom Penh (18,098), Kandal (16,245), Kep (10,531), and Pursat (8,492)

Cambodia and Vietnam to open and promote seaways between its seaside border provinces by year-end, connecting Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong, Kep and Kampot provinces to Vietnam’s Kieng Giang and Can Tho provinces. Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) welcomes the plan, as it will generate more jobs and incomes for locals in the coastal border provinces of the two countries, especially those living in popular tourist destinations and surrounding areas

Cambodia held the “Cambodia Tourism Roadshow” in Jakarta from 21-25 Jun to promote tourism

Cambodia has recorded its first monkeypox case, a patient who fled Thailand. The Ministry of Health has called for those suspected cases to be tested and isolation for the patients until they are cured

The Health Ministry has issued a series of preventive measures to prevent the spread of Monkeypox. International travellers with rash, itching or blisters on the body, accompanied by fever and other Monkeypox symptoms and has a history of travel from African countries endemic to Monkeypox, such as Benin, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, The Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan should be reported to health authorities. There is no ban on travellers from any countries entering Cambodia

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and Cambodia Tourism Ministry have agreed to continue cooperation in joint tourism promotion. Vietnam has expressed readiness to participate in events hosted in Cambodia, including the Sea Festival, 2023 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, and the 2029 Asian Youth Games. The two countries will also cooperate in tourism promotions at the World Travel Market London on 7-9 Nov. Cambodia also seeks Vietnam’s participation in the Cambodian Tourism Roadshow in Phnom Penh in Oct. They have also agreed to promote the easing of travel restrictions in both countries. A self-driving tour from the borders of the neighbouring countries was also discussed to increase tourism flow, with infrastructure to connect Cambodia’s Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep with Vietnam’s Kien Giang province and Can Tho City also under construction. Vietnam and Cambodia to also ease border crossing processes and permit longer visa stays for Cambodians who visit Vietnam for medical treatment. Cambodia will also join the International Travel Expo 2022 in HCMC from 6-11 Sep, and host a “Cambodia Night” at the expo at REX Hotel on 8 Sep, as well as attend the Mekong Tourism Forum in Hoi An from 11-14 Oct

The National Bank of Cambodia expects Cambodia’s economy to grow by 5.3% in 2022, up from 3% in 2021. The gradual recovery of tourism is predicted to be one of the reasons that supports economic growth

The National Bank of Cambodia reported that inflation rose to 7.2% in May, the highest in the last decade. It previously rose to 1.22% in Feb and 1.61% in Mar

SME Bank reported that 19 tourism-related businesses have been approved to receive loans under the $150 million Tourism Recovery Co-Financing Scheme (TRCS), while 2 applicants were rejected as the purpose of the loans were deemed unaligned with the scheme’s objectives. SME Bank has advised partner banks to find middle ground for the credit approval process, although the banks continue to stick to internal policies to push for higher-quality loans, as they have also set aside a $75 million counterpart fund to the scheme. SME Bank intends to hear the opinions of tourism stakeholders and discuss with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and PFIs, to hopefully make it easier for business owners to gain funds for their business recovery. Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter (PATACC) noted that there have been discrepancies between commercial bank PFIs’ actions and the Finance Ministry and SME Bank, which makes the process difficult for businesses

Hospitality Kampuchea or HoKa, in partnership with the Tourism Ministry’s Skill Development Programme (SDP), has trained 884 tourism professionals and core trainers in H1, of which 596 were women. The trainees came from provinces in the northeast and provinces around the Tonle Sap Lake. HoKa is a training programme to support skills development in emerging destinations in Cambodia funded by the Swiss Agency for Development. The HoKa hospitality training in H1 was conducted in Preah Vihear, Kratie, Stung Treng, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat and Kampong Chhnang. The programme will be expanded to priority destinations and those with great tourism potential, including Battambang, Pailin, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey

The Tourism Ministry held the Cambodian Tourism Roadshow in Chan Tho, Vietnam on 20 Jul to promote tourism and strengthen bilateral cooperation. The programme is held as part of activities to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties, and is expected to open opportunities for tourism exchange and the development of tourism activities between the countries. The Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism said that Vietnam is a promising tourism market, and occupies the largest share of foreign arrivals to Cambodia

The ASEAN Information Centre projected the unemployment rate for Cambodia to be at 0.31% in 2022, the lowest among all ASEAN countries. It is followed by Myanmar (1.79%), Singapore (2.2%), Vietnam (2.46%), Malaysia (3.9%), Philippines (5.8%), Indonesia (5.83%), and Brunei (8.4%)

China Duty Free Group Co Ltd (CDF) has gained permission from the Finance Ministry to open its duty-free stores at NagaWorld in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, its first stores outside China

The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway is now around 95% completed and will open to the public on 1 Oct. It will be toll-free for the first month

An Indochina Research Report has shown that average household income of Cambodian consumers fell to $376.12 USD in Q2, compared to $382.81 in Q2 2021. Cambodian consumers purchased 10.90 products on average in Q2 2022, compared to 7.87 in Q2 2021 and 10.18 in Q1. Consumer confidence rose to 50 points in Q2, from 49 points in Q1

PCR test prices jumped to $60 USD after 2 months of no reported cases, with some citizens believing that the price is too high. The government previously didn’t charge the public for PCR tests during the pandemic. The PCR test is also scant, and is only available at the National Institute of Public Health in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district

Cambodia recorded 22 new COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day, the highest total since 23 Apr and a gradual increase after 2 months of being COVID-free. The Health Ministry stated that daily reports on cases do not reflect the actual number, but are only include those who come for tests or returning migrant workers from Thailand checked at the border, which is why the number of reported cases remain low

The Tourism Minister reported 226,441 tourists on 16-17 Jul, down 20.77% WoW, including 21,960 foreigners. Arrivals to Preah Sihanouk fell 48.07% WoW, while Siem Reap’s fell 38.06%. The decrease is attributed to a hike in gas prices, rising COVID-19 cases, and the rainy season. Top destinations include Battambang with 36,520 tourists, Kampot (28,964), Preah Sihanouk (28,504), Siem Reap (27,586), Phnom Penh (20,816), Kep (10,531), Kandal (10,286), and Pursat (10,282)

The National Bank of Cambodia is working with Thai authorities to promote the use of Cambodia’s KHQR QR-code payment system in Thailand. Currently transactions with KHQR are only available with ACLEDA Bank Plc and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) clients. In Thailand, only SCB merchants can accept KHQR. NBC hopes that with Thailand’s QR standardisation, KHQR users will be able to pay at all Thai-QR merchants regardless of their issuing banks. For now the services are only available for Cambodians paying in Thailand, while Thais cannot pay in Cambodia yet as the service is still in progress

Cambodia Hotel Association President believes that the extension of the tax exemption would be a “major help” for tourism business owners. He added that while the 3-month extension may seem short, it would not be a big issue as “the government will continue to look further – if there is a significant continued impact, the government will definitely continue to waive taxes”. He noted that it is important to keep track of outbound tourism trends from China, Cambodia’s top source market pre-pandemic, to predict when Cambodia will see a more significant increase in tourism arrivals. Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter urged for the tax exemption to be extended beyond Sep, as tourism cannot recover to pre-pandemic levels immediately. He also noted how the recovery has been hindered by rising oil prices attributed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he noted that the extension was “a major government favour” and is a “lifeline” for many private tourism businesses, “at least for the time being”

Cambodia has extended the tax exemption for tourism businesses in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap from Jul to Sep. It applies to all types of monthly taxes except VAT for hotels, guesthouses and travel agencies registered with the General Department of Taxation. The government will also continue freezing the debt figures by the end of 2019 and excluding penalties for 2022 for the tourism sector. It also encourages tourism businesses to develop skills and apply for financial assistance through the Skills Development Fund (SDF)

Travellers entering Cambodia from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam via sea and land borders who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated are required to take a free rapid test upon arrival, the Health Minister announced

PM Hun Sen said that ongoing war and sanctions has “shattered the world and destabilised the tourism sector”. He added that rising oil prices can lead to difficulties in the tourism sector, especially the increase in airfare. He said that domestic tourism can be beneficial as it gives Cambodians an opportunity to know their own country and participate in forest and wildlife conservation

PM Hun Sen believes that the growth of Cambodia’s tourism may spike if China lifts its zero-COVID policy. He added that the prospects of China lifting its restrictions “remain uncertain” and urged Cambodia to encourage domestic travel to offset the absence of Chinese visitors. The Tourism Minister said that if China opens its borders for travel, Cambodia’s annual arrivals could reach 7 million by 2026 or 2027. The Cambodia Hotel Association highlighted the importance of the Chinese market, as it accounts for a third of the total international arrivals to Cambodia

PM Hun Sen has asked the Tourism Ministry to continue to strengthen human capital development in tourism, skills development, digital literacy, and support young entrepreneurs and SMEs in the tourism sector to advance smart tourism development

The Tourism Ministry expects Cambodia tourism to recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2026 or 2027

The Tourism Ministry, in partnership with SwissContact, the Hoka Project Management Committee, tourism vocational training schools and universities, have provided training courses to nearly 600,000 tourism stakeholders during the pandemic, including private employees, business owners, entrepreneurs

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Cambodia will focus on development of “high-quality human resources with advanced skills in technology”

Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism stressed that Cambodia is a “safe and green tourist destination”. He added that there has been a decrease in purchasing power due to external factors like the Russia-Ukraine war and the economic crisis, adding that competition from neighbouring countries and a shift in global tourism behaviour will impact post-pandemic recovery. The Tourism Ministry has also prepared a roadmap for Cambodia’s tourism recovery and Master Plans for Siem Reap, Mondulkiri and Kep

Cambodia welcomed 285,808 tourists, including 264,881 domestic and 20,927 international tourists, from 9-10 Jul, down 3.89% WoW. Top destinations include Preah Sihanouk (54,892), Siem Reap (44,540), Battambang (43,806), Kampot (28,868), Phnom Penh (18,743), Kep (18,069), Pursat (9,505) and Kampong Speu (8,668)

Cambodia aims to receive at least 1 million foreign tourists in 2022 and 2 million in 2023

World Bank’s “Cambodia Economic Update June 2022” report revealed that tourism in Cambodia is gradually recovering, driven by domestic tourism after travel restrictions were relaxed in Oct 2021. Some steps that facilitated tourism revivals include the resumption of the Visa on Arrival programme, the lifting of pre-departure testing restrictions in Mar, and the lifting of outdoor mask-wearing restrictions in Apr

Preah Vihear to construct a “mega cultural preservation park” named Hun Manet Park O’Svay Prasat Preah Vihear to promote tourism, as well as to conserve and study Khmer civilization

The Tourism Ministry has launched a new norry (bamboo train) ride at “Phnom Vor Natural Paradise restaurant”, an organic farm in Trapeang Khang Cheung village, near the Kep-Kampot provincial border. Manager of the restaurant noted that most visitors to Kep and Kampot are ecotourists. The restaurant and the norry were completed in 2021 but only began accepting reservations from private groups, only fully opening to the public in early 2022. The site received over 5,000 visitors in May, not including children, although visitor numbers fell slightly in Jun due to heavy rain. The norry currently receives mostly domestic visitors, with only a small number of Chinese, European, and Indian visitors

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) President said that the new rule allowing unvaccinated and non-fully vaccinated to enter Cambodia without quarantine and only an on-arrival rapid antigen test “would lift many of the pressures and barriers associated with all kinds of tourism”. She expects the move to bring a surge of international travellers, especially from ASEAN. She added that Cambodia has seen a “decent rise” in foreign arrivals since reopening, but there hasn’t been any sharp increase. The Cambodia Hotel Association President noted that the rule change would give Cambodia a “competitive edge as a travel destination”, as other ASEAN countries are still behind in relaxing quarantine for unvaccinated and non-fully vaccinated travellers. He predicted over 300,000 foreign arrivals by mid-year and 1 million by year-end. Chair of Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter (PATACC) noted that the move would generate more interest in Cambodia, but warned of the risk of potential outbreak from non-fully vaccinated travellers. Cambodia has reported new COVID-19 cases, breaking the 52-day streak between 7 May-27 Jun where no cases were reported

Cambodia to lift quarantine requirements for unvaccinated or non fully vaccinated international travellers from 11 Jul. Travellers will still be required to undergo a rapid antigen test upon arrival with a $5 USD fee. If the on-arrival test returns positive but the patient has mild symptoms, they will be allowed to undergo self-isolation at home

The number of visitors to Cambodia from Europe and the US has increased by 20-25%, while the number of tourists from APAC only increased by 1% due to the lack of Chinese tourists