Thailand Surpasses China as Cambodias Largest Source of Tourists
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Thailand has overtaken China as the largest source of tourists to Cambodia in 2024, with 955,000 Thai visitors in the first half of the year. Cambodia welcomed 3.16 million international tourists during this period. 
In the first half of this year, Thailand emerged as the largest source of tourists to Cambodia, surpassing China, which had held the top position prior to the pandemic. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed 955,000 Thai tourists during this period, making Thailand the biggest contributor to Cambodia's tourism sector.
Vietnam came in second, with 640,000 arrivals, while China dropped to third place, sending 389,360 tourists to Cambodia. Despite this decline in rankings, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 45% year-on-year, signaling a steady recovery. Cambodian officials are keen to attract more visitors from China, given their crucial role in the kingdom's economic growth and tourism development.
"We are eager to see more Chinese tourists as their presence has contributed to our economic growth and tourism development," said Top Sopheak, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, in a statement to Xinhua news agency.
Between January and June, Cambodia received 3.16 million international tourists, representing a nearly 23% increase year-on-year. However, these figures remain modest compared to other Southeast Asian destinations. Thailand led the region with 17.5 million foreign arrivals in the first half of the year, followed by Vietnam with 8.8 million and Singapore with 8.24 million.
Cambodia's Tourism Outlook
While Cambodia's tourism numbers continue to grow, particularly from neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam, the kingdom still lags behind its regional counterparts. The Cambodian government is working on strategies to boost its tourism appeal, with a particular focus on attracting more Chinese tourists, a critical market that has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
As tourism continues to recover globally, Cambodia is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the region by leveraging its rich cultural heritage, affordable travel options, and proximity to key source markets.
In the first half of this year, Thailand emerged as the largest source of tourists to Cambodia, surpassing China, which had held the top position prior to the pandemic. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed 955,000 Thai tourists during this period, making Thailand the biggest contributor to Cambodia's tourism sector.
Vietnam came in second, with 640,000 arrivals, while China dropped to third place, sending 389,360 tourists to Cambodia. Despite this decline in rankings, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 45% year-on-year, signaling a steady recovery. Cambodian officials are keen to attract more visitors from China, given their crucial role in the kingdom's economic growth and tourism development.
"We are eager to see more Chinese tourists as their presence has contributed to our economic growth and tourism development," said Top Sopheak, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, in a statement to Xinhua news agency.
Between January and June, Cambodia received 3.16 million international tourists, representing a nearly 23% increase year-on-year. However, these figures remain modest compared to other Southeast Asian destinations. Thailand led the region with 17.5 million foreign arrivals in the first half of the year, followed by Vietnam with 8.8 million and Singapore with 8.24 million.
Cambodia's Tourism Outlook
While Cambodia's tourism numbers continue to grow, particularly from neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam, the kingdom still lags behind its regional counterparts. The Cambodian government is working on strategies to boost its tourism appeal, with a particular focus on attracting more Chinese tourists, a critical market that has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
As tourism continues to recover globally, Cambodia is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the region by leveraging its rich cultural heritage, affordable travel options, and proximity to key source markets.
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