2.4M foreign tourists visit Cambodia in four months

2.4M foreign tourists visit Cambodia in four months

Close to 2.4 million foreign tourists visited the Kingdom in the first four months of 2025, marking a 13.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a report released by the Ministry of Tourism on Thursday.

Thailand topped the list for inbound tourism markets, contributing 674,134 visitors, up 14.6 percent.

The country received 410,424 Vietnamese visitors, inching down by one percent and 387,505 Chinese visitors, a sharp increase of 49 percent, the report stated. Other foreign visitors were from the US, Lao PDR, the UK, France, Indonesia, and Japan.

About 42 percent of total foreign tourists arrived in Cambodia by air, while the remaining entered through land and waterways.

Hun Dany, the Ministry’s Secretary of State and Spokeswoman, underscored the significant correlation between peace and robust political stability and the growing number of foreign tourists.

“Peace and political stability are prerequisites in attracting tourists. Foreign tourists will not come to Cambodia if there is no peace, insecurity, and political stability in the country,” she said.

Furthermore, Dany attributed the rise in foreign tourist arrivals to the efforts of the Royal government and the private sector’s effective promotional strategies for the tourism sector, complemented by enhanced airport facilities.

The ministry also noted that Cambodian outbound tourism increased by 0.7 percent during the same two-month period, reaching 587,041 travellers.

Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, attributed the rise in international arrivals to the Kingdom’s peaceful and politically stable environment, which has helped build traveller confidence.

“Improvements in infrastructure—including roads, expressways, and airport facilities—have also made travel more convenient and appealing for tourists,” Sivlin told Khmer Times.

Cambodia is well-known for its world cultural heritage sites, such as the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap province, the Preah Vihear Temple and Koh Ker Temple in Preah Vihear province, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in Kampong Thom province.

Besides, the Kingdom has a 450-kilometre long pristine coastline stretching across four southwestern provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.

Mao Havannal, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, shared the same sentiment.

“The expansion of new flights by major airlines will help boost both tourism and trade,” he said at an event held in Siem Reap province on Tuesday.

Tourism is one of the four main pillars supporting Cambodia’s economy, alongside garment exports, agriculture, and real estate and construction.

The Ministry of Tourism projects that Cambodia could welcome up to 7.5 million international tourists in 2025.

Last year, the Kingdom received approximately 6.7 million foreign visitors, generating $3.63 billion in revenue and contributing around 9.4 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

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