Cambodia Tourism: Arrivals Down 44.4%, Siem Reap Hit Hardest

• 2.25 million arrivals. That's the total number of international tourists recorded in Cambodia over the first eight months of 2026.
• -44.4% year-on-year. In the same period of 2025, the country welcomed 4.05 million visitors — nearly 1.8 million more.
• Eight months of decline. The drop covers January to August 2026, ruling out the possibility of a mere seasonal dip.
• Siem Reap on the front line. The province of Angkor accounts for a major share of the country's hotels and guided activities.
• A signal for entrepreneurs. Restaurants, bars, tour agencies, and shops in the city are already feeling the drop in foot traffic.

The decline didn't happen overnight: it built up gradually before being confirmed by cumulative figures at the end of August.

1. January 2026: Cambodia starts the year with international bookings lagging behind post-2025 projections.
2. February-March 2026: early monthly indicators show a slump in long-haul markets (Europe, North America).
3. April-May 2026: the low season confirms the trend; Siem Reap hotels adjust occupancy rates downward.
4. June-July 2026: local operators report a reduction in group bookings and organized tours.
5. August 2026: the eight-month total stands at 2.25 million arrivals, versus 4.05 million a year earlier.
6. September 26, 2026: Khmer Times Breaking News releases the official figure of -44.4%, triggering the first sector analyses.
7. Late 2026: professionals anticipate a high season under pressure and pivot their offerings toward regional and resident clientele.

The available data covers the national total. Here's how the contraction plays out concretely across the segments affected in Siem Reap.

• Fewer customers for businesses. Bars, restaurants, and shops in the city center and on Pub Street are seeing reduced tourist traffic, with a direct impact on revenue.
• Pressure on commercial rents. Landlords are more open to negotiation — a window of opportunity for expats renewing or signing a lease.
• Tighter local job market. Tourism-related jobs (hospitality, guiding, sales) are becoming scarcer; versatile, bilingual profiles remain in demand.
• Opportunities in resident services. Coworking, healthcare, education, neighborhood dining: expat and local demand remains more stable than tourist demand.
• Possible pivot to regional clientele. Southeast Asian visitors and long-stay guests partially offset the drop in long-haul travelers — provided offerings and prices are adapted.

1. Step 1: Assess your exposure to tourism. If more than 50% of your income depends on international visitors, prepare a fallback plan now.
2. Step 2: Renegotiate your fixed costs (rent, subscriptions, salaries) before high season, using official figures on the activity decline as leverage.
3. Step 3: Diversify your clientele: expat residents, urban Cambodians, regional visitors, long-stay guests.
4. Step 4: Monitor your cash flow over 6 to 12 months and build a buffer equivalent to at least three months of expenses.
5. Step 5: Check your visa status and health insurance: when income is irregular, it's better to anticipate administrative deadlines.
6. Step 6: Stay informed through official sources (Ministry of Tourism, Khmer Times, professional associations) rather than social media rumors.
7. Step 7: Pool resources with other expats and local entrepreneurs: bulk buying, shared premises, and co-marketing can reduce fixed costs.