Foreign arrivals to Cambodia fell 44.4% to 2.25 million in January to August 2026, with every major market down and Angkor ticket sales off 29%. The figures, the reasons and what it means for travellers.
International tourist arrivals in Cambodia have fallen by nearly half in 2026. Ministry of Tourism figures show 2,252,698 foreign visitors from January to August 2026, down 44.4% on the same period of 2025, with falls from every major market and Angkor pass sales down 29%.
International tourist arrivals in Cambodia have fallen by nearly half this year, Khmer Times reports. Ministry of Tourism figures show 2,252,698 foreign visitors from January to August 2026, down 44.4% from about 4.05 million in the same period of 2025. Here is what the numbers say, why arrivals have dropped, and what it means if you are planning a trip.
According to the Ministry of Tourism data reported by the Phnom Penh Post, every major source market was down in the first eight months of the year:
| Market | Visitors, Jan to Aug 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| China | 588,051 | -25.1% |
| Vietnam | 585,711 | -27.6% |
| United States | 129,876 | -7.3% |
| France | 79,946 | -15.5% |
| United Kingdom | 77,913 | -14.2% |
| Indonesia | 65,487 | -35.9% |
At Angkor, the Angkor Enterprise sold 474,993 tickets to international visitors, down 29.07%, earning $22.54 million, down 27.43%. The decline has been building all year: Khmer Times reported a 45% fall in arrivals in the first quarter.
The Ministry of Tourism has pointed to the global economic slowdown, rising fuel prices and what it called domestic challenges. Industry observers also point to:
The Asian Development Bank has trimmed its 2026 growth forecast for Cambodia from 4.1% to 3.9%, citing weaker tourism.
The drop is felt most by the people who make a trip to Cambodia special. Khiev Thy, president of the Angkor Tourist Guides Association, told the Phnom Penh Post that the decline is “a serious pressure on the domestic tourism sector, particularly tour guides, drivers and even small-scale vendors.” Many guides who worked around 20 days a month in 2025 now find work on only four or five days.
To attract visitors, Cambodia is offering Chinese nationals visa-free entry for stays of up to 14 days from 15 June to 15 October 2026. The new Techo International Airport near Phnom Penh is also designed to handle many more passengers and attract new routes.
Cambodia’s temples, food, islands and countryside are as rewarding as ever. See our guide to the best time to visit Cambodia, our travel essentials for visas and practical advice, and our Angkor Wat guide.
Sources: Khmer Times; Phnom Penh Post, citing the Ministry of Tourism, the Angkor Enterprise and the Asian Development Bank; Khmer Times (first quarter).
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