Cambodia’s tourism industry continued to play a major role in the national economy in 2025, generating close to US$4 billion in revenue despite a decline in international arrivals. New figures released by the Ministry of Tourism show that the Kingdom welcomed millions of travelers throughout the year, while domestic tourism also experienced strong growth. The latest data highlights how the sector remains one of Cambodia’s key economic drivers, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.
International Tourism Revenue Climbs Despite Fewer Visitors
According to the latest tourism statistics, Cambodia received 5.57 million international tourists in 2025. While this represented a 16.9 percent drop compared to the previous year, tourism revenue still rose by 6.6 percent to approximately US$3,878 million.
The increase in earnings despite lower visitor numbers suggests that tourists may be spending more during their stay, helping businesses in hospitality, transportation, food services, and entertainment maintain steady growth. Tourism revenue also contributed 9.8 percent to Cambodia’s Gross Domestic Product, underlining the sector’s importance to the national economy.
Domestic Tourism Continues to Grow
Local travel within Cambodia saw significant momentum throughout 2025. The country recorded 25.16 million domestic tourists, marking an 11.7 percent increase year on year. The strong growth reflects continued interest among Cambodians in exploring destinations across the Kingdom, from cultural landmarks to coastal areas and eco tourism sites.
At the same time, the number of outbound Cambodian tourists declined sharply. Only 1.36 million Cambodians traveled abroad in 2025, a decrease of 26.4 percent compared to the previous year. The shift may indicate that more residents are choosing to spend their travel budgets locally, benefiting Cambodia’s domestic tourism industry.
Tourism Sector Supports Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs
Tourism remains one of Cambodia’s largest employment sectors, directly supporting around 420,000 jobs nationwide. The industry also includes 6,605 licensed tour guides who continue to play an important role in welcoming and assisting visitors across the country.
The sector’s workforce stretches across hotels, restaurants, transportation services, tour operations, entertainment venues, and community tourism projects. As tourism activity expands, the industry continues to create income opportunities for many Cambodian families and local communities.
Cambodia Expands Tourism Infrastructure
Cambodia’s tourism infrastructure continued to grow in 2025 to support both local and international visitors. The Kingdom now has 95,588 accommodation rooms and 2,301 restaurants operating nationwide.
In addition, the country offers 52 tourism resorts, 129 community based tourism sites, and 55 sports tourism locations. Cambodia also recorded 584 adult entertainment venues across the nation. The expansion of tourism facilities reflects ongoing efforts to diversify tourism experiences and improve services for travelers.
Community Tourism Gains More Attention
Community based tourism continues to emerge as an important part of Cambodia’s tourism strategy. With 129 community tourism sites now operating nationwide, many rural communities are increasingly benefiting from visitor spending and cultural tourism activities.
These destinations allow travelers to experience authentic Cambodian lifestyles, local traditions, and natural attractions while helping generate income for local residents. The growth of community tourism also supports sustainable development and encourages the preservation of cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Although Cambodia saw fewer international visitors in 2025, the tourism industry still delivered impressive economic results by generating nearly US$4 billion in revenue. Rising domestic travel, stronger tourism spending, and continued investment in tourism infrastructure helped strengthen the sector’s contribution to the economy. As Cambodia continues expanding its tourism offerings and community based experiences, the industry is expected to remain a vital pillar of growth and employment for the Kingdom in the years ahead.
Source: AKP