Cambodia is facing one of its most difficult tourism periods in recent years. International tourist arrivals fell by 46% year on year in the first seven months of 2026, reflecting Cambodia tourism 2026. The country received about 1.99 million international visitors.
However, Cambodia tourism 2026 is supported by efforts to improve international air connectivity, especially at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. Several airlines are adding or restoring international services. This gives travelers more ways to reach Angkor Wat without relying on land crossings.
For visitors planning a trip to Cambodia, falling tourist numbers and expanding air connectivity could make the coming months interesting.
Moreover, Cambodia tourism 2026 may see evolving patterns as demand shifts.
Cambodia Has Lost Almost Half of Its International Tourist Arrivals
According to figures from Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, the country recorded approximately 1.99 million international tourist arrivals from January through July 2026. That represents a 46% decline compared with the same period in 2025.
China, Vietnam and the United States remained the three largest source markets during the period.
The Cambodian government has pointed to several factors behind the decline. These include negative international publicity surrounding online scam networks, continued friction along the Cambodia–Thailand border and higher fuel prices linked to conflicts in the Middle East.
The border situation is crucial for travelers, reflecting Cambodia tourism 2026 and Thailand’s land-crossing restrictions. Additionally, air connections become essential for visitors who want to combine the two countries in one Southeast Asia trip.
Why Siem Reap Is Especially Important
Siem Reap is Cambodia’s main international tourism hub outside the capital. It is also the gateway to Angkor Wat and the wider Angkor Archaeological Park.
The fall in international arrivals has therefore been particularly significant for the local tourism industry. Angkor Wat itself has also recorded lower visitor numbers in 2026, reflecting the broader slowdown in international travel to Cambodia.
However, Siem Reap is now seeing efforts to strengthen its international air network.
If you are planning a visit, our Siem Reap Travel Guide covers the main areas to stay, attractions and practical information you need before arriving.
More International Airlines Are Coming to Siem Reap
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is preparing for additional international airline connectivity as Cambodia looks to restore tourism demand.
Recent reports indicate that Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Eastar Jet and Firefly Airlines are among the carriers connected with new or returning international services at the airport.
The developments come alongside the expansion of Cambodia Airways, which is adding direct services from Siem Reap to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
Together, these developments could give travelers significantly more options for reaching Siem Reap from other parts of Southeast Asia and beyond.
However, travelers should check the exact operating dates before booking. Airline schedules are changing as carriers adjust capacity to current demand. For example, IndiGo has officially confirmed that its Siem Reap service was temporarily suspended until September 30, with bookings scheduled to resume from October 1.
Why More Flights Matter Right Now
The expansion of air connectivity is particularly important because traveling overland between Cambodia and Thailand is currently not a reliable option.
For travelers coming from Bangkok, flying directly to Siem Reap can be considerably more straightforward than restructuring an itinerary around border crossings.
The same applies to travelers combining Cambodia with Vietnam. Direct connections between Siem Reap and Vietnamese cities make it easier to build multi-country itineraries without returning to Phnom Penh.
For a first-time visitor, this could mean a relatively simple route such as Bangkok → Siem Reap → Vietnam or Vietnam → Siem Reap → Bangkok.
Our Siem Reap Airport Guide explains what to expect after landing and how to get into the city.
Does a 46% Drop Mean Cambodia Is Empty?
Not necessarily.
A 46% year-on-year decline is significant, but Cambodia still received almost two million international visitors during the first seven months of 2026.
The national figure also does not mean that every destination, hotel or attraction has experienced the same decline. Visitor numbers vary considerably by market, destination and season.
For travelers, however, lower demand can mean a different experience at some of Cambodia’s major attractions. Popular sites may feel less crowded than during the country’s stronger tourism years, while hotels and tourism businesses face a more competitive environment.
This can make the current period particularly interesting for travelers who prefer visiting major attractions without peak-season crowds.
Cambodia Is Also Looking for New Ways to Attract Visitors
Improving flight connectivity is not the only strategy being considered.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism is also promoting film tourism as a way to showcase the country’s temples, heritage, landscapes and culture to international audiences. The government has established an inter-ministerial working group dealing with film tourism and the possible development of nighttime temple visits.
One of the projects currently being discussed is Bokator: Guardian of Angkor, a film project that the Ministry sees as an opportunity to promote Cambodian culture and tourism destinations internationally.
Nighttime visits to Angkor temples, however, are still at the study and planning stage. No general nighttime opening of the Angkor Archaeological Park has been announced, so travelers should not plan their trip around this possibility yet.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
If you are visiting Cambodia primarily for Angkor Wat, staying in Siem Reap remains the most practical choice. The city has the widest selection of accommodation, restaurants, tour operators and transport services around the temples.
You can compare the main areas in our guide to where to stay in Siem Reap, or see our selection of the best hotels in Siem Reap.
What This Means for Travelers
For travelers planning Cambodia in late 2026, the current situation is mixed.
- Tourist arrivals are significantly lower than a year ago.
- Land travel between Cambodia and Thailand remains disrupted, making flights more important.
- Siem Reap is gaining additional international air connectivity, giving travelers more routing options.
- Angkor Wat may be less crowded than during stronger tourism periods.
- Airline schedules are changing, so travelers should verify flights before booking non-refundable accommodation or onward connections.
For visitors who have been considering Cambodia but were concerned about complicated regional travel, the growing number of direct flights into Siem Reap is an important development.
Bottom Line
Cambodia’s 46% decline in international tourist arrivals is a serious warning for the country’s tourism industry, but it is not the whole story.
At the same time as visitor numbers have fallen, Cambodia is working to make the country easier to reach. Siem Reap is at the center of that effort, with additional and returning international airline services helping reconnect Angkor Wat with major Asian travel hubs.
For travelers, that combination could create an unusual opportunity: fewer visitors at some major attractions, while the number of ways to reach Siem Reap is increasing.
If you are planning a Cambodia trip for late 2026, it is worth checking current flight options before assuming that the easiest route is through Phnom Penh or overland from Thailand.
Sources
- Tourism Ministry figures reported by Xinhua, September 5, 2026.
- Siem Reap Times, September 6, 2026 — international airline connectivity at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.
- IndiGo official announcement — temporary suspension and resumption of Siem Reap service.
- Agence Kampuchea Presse, September 7, 2026 — Cambodia’s film tourism and nighttime temple visit initiatives.