Lilshira
Cambodia tourism drops 28% as Vietnamese arrivals fall
Cambodia’s inbound tourism fell 28% in the first nine months of 2026, driven by a sharp drop in Vietnamese visitors. The decline is recorded for the period January to September 2026 and primarily affects travelers from Vietnam, whose outbound trips to Cambodia contracted by more than a quarter.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Inbound tourism to Cambodia fell 28% year‑on‑year
- Timing
- First nine months of 2026
- Who is affected
- Vietnamese tourists and other regional source markets
The details
- Announced by
- Cambodia Ministry of Tourism
Overall tourism contraction
The Ministry of Tourism reported a 43.7% drop in total foreign arrivals between January and September 2026, with only 2.46 million visitors compared with 4.37 million in the same period a year earlier. The shortfall of more than 1.9 million travelers has strained hotels, restaurants and ancillary services across the country.
Vietnam’s reduced arrivals
Vietnam remained the largest single source of visitors, delivering 651,486 arrivals during the nine‑month window, but that figure represents a 28.0% year‑on‑year decline. Over 253,000 Vietnamese travelers who visited Cambodia in the previous cycle did not come, reflecting a shift toward domestic coastal destinations and tighter border checks.
- Vietnamese leisure trips redirected to Da Nang, Phu Quoc and Quy Nhon
- Increased scrutiny at land checkpoints reduced short‑distance road trips
Impact on Angkor Archaeological Park
Ticket sales at Angkor Wat fell from 705,135 to 510,528, a 27.6% decline, cutting revenue by US$8.45 million. The loss reverberates through boutique hotels, local food vendors and transport operators in Siem Reap, many of whom have reduced staff or suspended operations.
- Boutique hotels operating with skeletal staff
- Local suppliers seeing order reductions of over 25%
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing bookings for Cambodia remain valid but may face reduced accommodation options
- Travel agents may report limited availability on popular dates due to lower demand
Cost and documents
- No new fees or visa requirements have been introduced for travelers
- Travel insurance premiums unchanged by the tourism decline
What you need to do
- Monitor airline and hotel inventory for possible cancellations or price adjustments
- Consider alternative destinations in the region if preferred services are unavailable
Who this affects
-
Vietnamese tourists
Vietnam contributed the largest share of inbound visitors but saw a 28% drop year‑on‑year
-
Thai overland travelers
Thai cross‑border traffic to Cambodia collapsed by 94.7%, removing a historic feeder market
-
Chinese tourists
Chinese arrivals fell 27.6%, affecting high‑spending segments in urban and luxury markets
Frequently asked questions
Why did Cambodia’s tourism numbers fall in 2026?
Cambodia’s tourism fell because key source markets, especially Vietnam, reduced outbound trips by 28% and Thailand’s overland flow nearly vanished, leading to a 43.7% overall drop in foreign arrivals.
How many Vietnamese visitors came to Cambodia in 2026?
Vietnamese arrivals totaled 651,486 between January and September 2026, down from over 905,000 in the comparable period of the previous year.
What happened to Angkor Wat ticket sales in 2026?
Ticket sales at Angkor Wat declined from 705,135 to 510,528, a 27.6% reduction, cutting entrance‑fee revenue by about US$8.45 million.
Did Cambodia change its visa policy for any country in 2026?
No visa policy changes were announced; the decline reflects market‑demand shifts rather than new entry requirements.
Will existing travel bookings to Cambodia be affected by the tourism drop?
Existing reservations remain valid, but travelers may encounter reduced hotel availability or altered service levels as providers adjust to lower demand.
