Southeast Asia Information Harbor (www.dnyxxg.com) – The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) recently released its 2025 Macroeconomic and Financial Industry Review Report. The report shows that despite complex external challenges, Cambodia's tourism industry maintained its growth momentum, with total revenue reaching US$3.7 billion, a 3% year-on-year increase, continuing to play a pillar role in the national economy.
The report points out that Cambodia's tourism market underwent significant structural adjustments in 2025, receiving 5.6 million international tourists throughout the year.
The report states that Vietnam remains the largest source of tourists (accounting for 21.9%), followed by China (21.6%) and Thailand (18.4%), these three countries forming the core growth drivers of Cambodia's tourism market. Air arrivals saw a significant year-on-year increase of 19.2%, accounting for 51.3% of total arrivals, reflecting the positive effects of the new international airport and increased direct flights; while land and sea arrivals declined by 37%. The domestic market performed strongly, with domestic tourist arrivals increasing by 11.7% to 25.2 million.
The report acknowledges that the tourism industry's growth rate is projected to slow to 5.1% by 2025, down from 13.2% the previous year. While the first half of the year saw strong performance thanks to destination diversification strategies, the second half was impacted by border tensions and security concerns stemming from online scams, which affected international tourist confidence. As a result, Angkor Wat ticket revenue was $44.7 million, a 6.5% decrease year-on-year.
In a recent speech, Tourism Minister Hua Ha emphasized that Cambodia's tourism industry continues to demonstrate strong resilience in the face of a complex global and regional environment. He stated, "The current situation requires all sectors, levels of government, and the private sector to work together in a spirit of unity to address the challenges."
Cambodia currently boasts four World Heritage Sites (Angkor Wat, Sambor Leku, Preah Vihear, and Koh Khoon) and a 450-kilometer-long southwestern coastline. Minister Hua Ha called on all stakeholders to increase their involvement, further explore the potential of cultural and natural resources, and promote a safe and diverse Cambodia to the world.
As one of Cambodia's four economic pillars, the continued recovery of the tourism industry is crucial for securing employment and foreign exchange earnings. With the further release of the new aviation hub's effectiveness and the government's strengthened security governance, Cambodia is expected to attract more high-spending international tourists, driving the industry towards a high-quality development stage.
