Senior officials and key industry insiders express concern over a combination of geopolitical and economic headwinds, and Cambodia's ambitious goal of welcoming 7.2 million to 7.5 million foreign tourists in 2025 is facing significant challenges. According to Mohammat Younes, Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Tourism, a reevaluation of the year-end forecast is being prompted by a new US tariff regime and simmering border tensions with Thailand.
Although the first half of the year has shown positive growth in tourism, He stated that the ministry has projected that international tourism arrivals could reach 7.2 million and 7.5 million in 2025 based on growth in 2024.
In a workshop on Tourism Data Quality and Consistency held in Siem Reap province on August 15, he stated, "The forecast, however, requires a complete reassessment due to a number of rapidly changing situations, including new US tariffs, the closure of the Cambodia-Thailand border following a Thai military incursion into Cambodia territory, ongoing geographical tensions, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the crisis in the Middle East."
The official stated that a concerted effort is required to respond to the high level of uncertainty and potential crises. The ministry has demanded proactive collaboration from all stakeholders, including individuals, the private sector, media, content producers, and government ministries and institutions.
He continued, "This collaborative effort will assist Cambodia's tourism sector in building resilience and maintaining its position as a highly competitive destination in the region." Based on a strong recovery from the pandemic, the optimistic target had been set by the Ministry of Tourism. Over 3.36 million international tourists visited the country in the first six months of 2025, a significant increase of 6% from the same period in 2024, according to data. Industry insiders acknowledged the connection between the country's tourism industry and the external crisis.
The President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), Chhay Sivlin, praised the Ministry of Tourism's partnership with the private sector to promote tourism. "External crisis, the uncertainty of global economic growth, and ongoing border shutdown would definitely affect tourism," Sivlin stated in an interview with Khmer Times.
But with efforts made by the government through the Ministry of Tourism and private sector, the country is expected to receive increasing numbers of tourists.”
The Angkor Archaeological Park in the province of Siem Reap, the Preah Vihear Temple and Koh Ker Temple in the province of Preah Vihear, and the Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological Site in the province of Kampong Thom are among Cambodia's world cultural heritage sites.
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