Siem Reap is stepping up efforts to revive tourism after a sharp decline in international visitor numbers in 2026.
The city remains Cambodia’s main gateway to Angkor Wat, but international arrivals have fallen significantly this year. In response, authorities and tourism businesses are combining several measures: discounted hotels and tourism services, efforts to attract more international flights, and plans for new attractions designed to encourage visitors to stay longer.
For travelers, the result could be interesting. Siem Reap is trying to make itself easier to reach and more attractive at a time when some of Cambodia’s most famous sites are seeing fewer international visitors.
Why Is Siem Reap Trying to Revive Tourism?
The wider Cambodian tourism industry has had a difficult 2026.
International tourist arrivals to Cambodia fell sharply during the first half of the year, while Angkor Archaeological Park also recorded a significant decline in foreign visitors. During the first eight months of 2026, Angkor welcomed 474,993 foreign tourists, down 29.07% from the same period in 2025.
The decline matters particularly in Siem Reap because tourism around Angkor supports a large network of hotels, restaurants, guides, drivers, tour operators and other local businesses.
At the same time, Cambodia–Thailand land crossings remain closed, making convenient international air connections even more important for travelers who want to combine Cambodia with Thailand.
Our Siem Reap Travel Guide covers the city’s main attractions, accommodation areas and practical information for planning a visit.
Siem Reap Hotels and Tourism Services Are Offering Discounts
One of the most immediate measures is the 2026 Siem Reap Tourism Service Mega Sale, launched by Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism together with tourism associations and businesses in the province.
The campaign began on August 1 during Cambodia’s Green Season and offers discounts of between 10% and 50% on participating tourism services.
The promotion includes participating three-, four- and five-star accommodation and other tourism services. International visitors are eligible to use the offers, which can be booked through the Cambodia Wonder platform.
For travelers, this creates a potentially useful opportunity to compare accommodation and other services in Siem Reap while demand is lower than in previous years.
If you are considering staying in the city, our guide to where to stay in Siem Reap explains the main areas and what they are best suited for.
More International Flights Are a Major Part of the Recovery Plan
Improving air connectivity is another major priority.
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport handled 714,133 passengers during the first half of 2026. Airport authorities and the operator are now working to restore passenger growth and expand the airport’s international network.
Officials have discussed attracting direct flights from markets including China, India, South Korea, the Middle East and other ASEAN countries. Possible airport service-fee incentives for airlines opening new routes are also being considered.
Recent developments include additional international airline activity involving carriers such as Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Eastar Jet and Firefly. Cambodia Airways is also expanding its network from Siem Reap with new services to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
Travelers should check the exact operating dates and current schedules before booking, however. Some routes are planned or returning services rather than permanent year-round operations, and airline schedules can change according to demand.
Our Siem Reap Airport Guide explains what to expect when arriving at SAI and how to get into the city.
A New Tourism Hub Is Being Considered at the Old Airport Site
Siem Reap’s recovery plans go beyond hotels and flights.
The operator of Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and its partners have proposed transforming the approximately 196-hectare site of the former Siem Reap airport into a new cultural, commercial and tourism hub called “Miracle Angkor.”
The proposal includes a planned international exhibition centre of around 17,000 square metres, a digital museum and green tourism attractions.
The idea is to create additional reasons for visitors to spend time in Siem Reap beyond the traditional Angkor temple circuit. According to the proposal, the project could encourage visitors to extend their stay by one or two nights.
Importantly, this is still a proposal. It requires further study and evaluation by the relevant authorities, including consideration of aviation safety, land management and heritage protection requirements. Travelers should therefore treat Miracle Angkor as a future development rather than an attraction that can currently be visited.
Why Longer Stays Matter for Siem Reap
Angkor Wat is the reason most international travelers come to Siem Reap, but the city wants visitors to stay longer and spend more time outside the temple complex.
That is important because a traveler who stays for three or four nights contributes considerably more to the local economy than someone who arrives for a quick temple visit and leaves the following morning.
New cultural attractions, digital experiences, events and improved tourism services could therefore complement Angkor rather than compete with it.
For travelers, this could eventually mean a wider range of things to do in Siem Reap, particularly for visitors who have already seen the main Angkor temples.
Is Siem Reap Still Worth Visiting in 2026?
For travelers considering Cambodia right now, the tourism slowdown does not necessarily mean that Siem Reap should be skipped.
In fact, there are several potential advantages.
- Some attractions may be less crowded than during stronger tourism periods.
- Hotels and tourism businesses are competing for visitors, with some participating services offering substantial discounts.
- International air connectivity is being expanded, giving travelers more potential routes into Siem Reap.
- New tourism projects are being developed, although some remain at the proposal or planning stage.
- Angkor Wat remains Cambodia’s major international attraction, regardless of the current decline in visitor numbers.
The main thing travelers should not assume is that every advertised flight or tourism project is already fully operational. Check current flight schedules, hotel conditions and attraction opening information before making a non-refundable booking.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
For most first-time visitors, staying in Siem Reap remains the most convenient option because the city has the largest concentration of hotels, restaurants, tour operators and transport services near Angkor.
You can compare accommodation options in our guide to the best hotels in Siem Reap or choose an area based on your priorities using our Siem Reap accommodation guide.
What This Means for Travelers
Siem Reap is clearly trying to respond to the current tourism slowdown rather than simply waiting for visitor numbers to recover.
The strategy has several parts: lower prices during the Green Season, stronger international air connectivity, new tourism products and longer-term plans for additional cultural and entertainment attractions.
For travelers, the most immediate opportunities are the current accommodation and tourism discounts and the growing number of flight options. The larger projects, including Miracle Angkor, are more relevant as a sign of where Siem Reap’s tourism strategy is heading.
Bottom Line
Siem Reap is having a difficult tourism year, but the response is becoming increasingly visible.
Discounts of up to 50% are being offered by participating tourism businesses, authorities are working to attract more international flights, and a major new tourism hub is being considered on the site of the former airport.
For visitors, this could make late 2026 an interesting time to explore Siem Reap. The city is quieter than during its strongest tourism periods, businesses are actively trying to attract travelers, and the number of ways to reach Angkor Wat is gradually expanding.
The recovery is not complete yet, but Siem Reap is clearly trying to make sure that the next chapter of its tourism story is about more than Angkor Wat alone.
Sources
- Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) — Siem Reap Angkor International Airport passenger figures and “Miracle Angkor” proposal.
- Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) — 2026 Siem Reap Tourism Service Mega Sale.
- US-ASEAN Business Council — Cambodia’s efforts to revive Siem Reap tourism.
- Siem Reap Times — international airline developments at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.