Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Despite persistent global uncertainties surrounding geopolitics, economic fluctuations, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate a remarkable recovery. According to a June 5 report released by the Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom welcomed 2.4 million international tourists between January and April 2025—a 13.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
The report reveals that 56.2% of visitors entered Cambodia via land borders, while 42.1% arrived by air and 1.7% by water routes. Thailand, Vietnam, China, and the United States emerged as the top four source countries, contributing a combined total of over 1.56 million tourists. Other significant contributors included travellers from Laos, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Indonesia, and Japan.
Tourism Minister Huot Hak attributed the continued rise in international arrivals to targeted government strategies and consistent efforts by the Ministry to enhance Cambodia’s global tourism profile. “Through the continued implementation of key government measures and strategic plans, we expect the number of international visitors to rise to between 7.2 and 7.5 million in 2025,” he said.
To stimulate travel during the low season, the Ministry has launched the “Green Season” campaign—an initiative aimed at showcasing Cambodia’s lush natural landscapes, cultural richness, and unique experiences during the rainy months. The campaign focuses on encouraging travellers to explore the country beyond traditional peak seasons, especially in emerging destinations and ecotourism sites.
The year 2025 has also been officially designated as the Cambodia-China Tourism Year, a bilateral initiative jointly introduced by the Cambodian and Chinese governments. This initiative aims to reinvigorate Chinese tourist flows to Cambodia, which played a vital role in the country’s tourism and service economy before the global pandemic.
Anheng Sokpheak, president of the Cambodia Chinese Tour Guide Association (CCTGA), noted that the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia has already had a ripple effect on tourism and other sectors. “Encouragement from China’s top leadership will certainly result in more Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia,” he said. “Prior to the pandemic, Chinese tourists were a major force behind the Kingdom’s economic growth, particularly in hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.”
Sokpheak expressed optimism that with enhanced diplomatic ties and the focus on 2025 as the Cambodia-China Tourism Year, tourism-related investments and arrivals from China will see a significant upswing.
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Further promoting international tourism, Minister Huot Hak recently travelled to South Korea to attend the 40th Seoul International Travel Fair. On the sidelines of the event, he met with Kim Yong Jae and representatives from South Korean media giant SBS to explore new promotional strategies targeting Korean tourists. One key proposal discussed was a collaboration to bring popular South Korean influencers to Cambodia during the “Green Season” to highlight the country’s diverse attractions to Korean audiences.
The move to engage influencers and digital platforms aligns with the Ministry’s broader vision to diversify Cambodia’s tourism markets and reach new demographics through modern, experience-based storytelling and social media engagement.
With increasing regional and global cooperation, targeted campaigns, and improved infrastructure, Cambodia is positioning itself as a key travel destination in Southeast Asia. As global travel steadily returns to pre-pandemic levels, the Kingdom’s growing tourist numbers reflect renewed confidence in its cultural appeal, safety, and hospitality.
If current trends continue, Cambodia is well on track to surpass its projected target of over seven million international arrivals in 2025—marking a significant milestone in the country’s post-pandemic tourism revival.
