On Saturday, the Cambodian government announced a reduction in e-visa fees for tourists and business travelers, effective January 1, 2025.
According to a government news release, the fee for tourist e-visas (Type T) will be reduced from $36 to $30, while the fee for regular e-visas (Type E) will drop from $42 to $35. The initiative aims to attract more tourists and investors to the country and bolster Cambodia’s economic ties within Southeast Asia.
Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, expressed skepticism about the policy’s immediate impact on tourism growth. “To attract more tourists, we urge the government to consider implementing visa incentives for travelers from some of the top 20 arrival countries to enhance Cambodia’s tourism appeal,” he told Xinhua.
Cambodia welcomed 6 million international tourists between January and November 2024, a 22 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. The top five source countries for international arrivals were Thailand, Vietnam, China, Laos, and the United States.
Tourism is a vital pillar of Cambodia’s economy, alongside garment, footwear, and travel goods exports, agriculture, and construction and real estate. In 2023, the country received 5.45 million international tourists, generating $3.08 billion in gross revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Source: Khmer Times
