Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia is poised to welcome over 1.2 million Chinese tourists in 2025, a significant increase of 41.5% compared to the previous year. This positive outlook for Chinese arrivals comes from official data released by the Ministry of Tourism on February 2nd.
While Chinese tourism is set for robust growth, the overall international tourist arrivals for Cambodia in 2025 are projected to be 5,569,752, representing a 16.9% decrease from the figures recorded in 2024.
Among the key international markets, Vietnam is expected to contribute 1,222,101 visitors, marking an 8.8% decrease. Thai tourist arrivals are forecast to drop significantly by 52.4% to 1,022,791. Visitors from the United States are projected to be 206,791, a 3.6% decline, while South Korean tourist numbers are anticipated to fall by 20.6% to 152,598. In contrast to these declines, the strong performance of the Chinese market stands out, with the projected 1,201,681 visitors representing a substantial 41.5% increase.
The Ministry of Tourism’s data further indicates that out of the nearly 5.57 million international arrivals, approximately 2,857,716 tourists are expected to travel by air, marking a 19.2% increase. Conversely, land arrivals are projected to decrease by 37.8% to 2,712,036, while sea travel is expected to see a 6.3% rise, bringing 89,731 visitors.
To further stimulate this growth, Cambodia, through its Ministry of Tourism, implemented a visa exemption on January 15th for all citizens holding passports from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, but excluding Taiwan. This exemption applies regardless of the origin of travel, allowing PRC passport holders to enter Cambodia without a visa. Visitors can stay for up to 14 days during a four-month period, specifically from June 15th to October 15th, 2026. The process requires only completing an E-arrival card, with no application or fees. During this validity period, Chinese tourists can visit Cambodia multiple times. Tourism experts anticipate this visa waiver policy will further boost Chinese tourist numbers significantly in 2026.
Despite the projected decline in overall international visitor numbers for 2025, international tourism revenue is estimated to reach approximately $3.7 billion, a 3% increase compared to 2024. A report from the National Bank of Cambodia attributes this rise in revenue, amidst fewer overall arrivals, to several factors. One key reason cited is the armed conflicts along the Thai border, which have led to a sharp decrease in Thai tourists. Visitors from neighboring countries typically have lower per-capita spending compared to those from more distant regions, suggesting that while overall numbers are down, the mix of tourists may include more higher-spending long-haul travelers.
In parallel, approximately 1,357,941 Cambodians are projected to travel abroad in 2025. This figure, according to the Ministry of Tourism, represents a 26.4% decrease compared to 2024.
Data from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) reveals that Cambodia’s three international airports – Techo International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanoukville International Airport – are expected to handle a combined total of 64,821 flight movements (arrivals and departures) in 2025. This marks an 11% increase compared to 2024. Concurrently, the total number of air passengers (both inbound and outbound) is projected to reach 6,988,259, also an 11% increase.
Looking back, 2019 represented a peak year for Cambodian tourism, with the country attracting a record 6.61 million international visitors. During that year, international tourism injected $4.92 billion into the national economy and contributed a substantial 12.1% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
