Siem Reap is stepping up efforts to bring more air passengers back to the province as the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) work together to expand flight connectivity and attract airlines from key international markets. The initiative was discussed on Wednesday during a meeting between Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of SSCA, and Lu Wei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. (AIAI), which operates SAI. The goal is not only to increase passenger numbers but also to strengthen Siem Reap’s tourism sector and encourage longer visitor stays.

The push comes as passenger traffic at SAI continues to recover but remains well below pre pandemic levels. The airport handled 1.47 million passengers in 2025, a 5.3 percent increase from 2024, yet that figure represented only 37.6 percent of the passenger volume recorded in 2019. During the first six months of 2026, SAI welcomed 714,133 passengers. SSCA and the airport are therefore looking at new routes, higher flight frequencies and airline incentives to help accelerate the recovery.

Why SAI Is Looking to Bring More Passengers Back?

Since opening in October 2023, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has become the main aviation gateway for visitors travelling to Siem Reap and the Angkor region. The airport was built to strengthen the province’s international connectivity and support the long term development of tourism around the UNESCO listed Angkor Archaeological Park.

However, passenger numbers have yet to return to the levels seen before COVID 19. SSCA Secretary of State and spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha said the airport’s role in improving connectivity is significant, while acknowledging that stronger efforts are needed to rebuild passenger traffic.

China, India, South Korea and ASEAN in Focus

One of the key priorities discussed by SSCA and SAI is attracting additional flights from markets with strong potential to send visitors to Siem Reap. These include China, India, South Korea, the Middle East and other ASEAN countries.

The strategy reflects the importance of diversifying Siem Reap’s international visitor base. More direct routes and more frequent flights could make it easier for tourists, business travellers and other international visitors to reach the province without relying heavily on connecting flights through other regional hubs.

For tourism businesses, stronger air connectivity could also create opportunities to attract visitors from new markets and develop packages tailored to different traveller groups.

Airline Incentives Could Help Open New Routes

To encourage airlines to increase their presence in Siem Reap, the two sides also discussed incentive programmes involving airport service fees. Such measures are intended to make it more attractive for airlines to introduce new routes or increase flight frequencies on existing connections.

The approach is particularly important in a competitive regional aviation market, where airlines carefully assess passenger demand, operating costs and the potential profitability of new routes. If incentives can reduce some of the initial costs associated with launching services, they could help SAI build stronger connections with priority markets.

SAI has a 3,600 metre runway and a 4E airport classification, giving it the infrastructure needed to serve as a major international gateway to Siem Reap and the Angkor region.

A New Tourism Vision for the Former Siem Reap Airport

Air connectivity is only one part of the broader strategy. During the meeting, representatives of AIAI and its investment partner, Yuntou Group, also presented a proposal for the redevelopment of the former Siem Reap airport site under the “Miracle Angkor” project.

The 196 hectare site is proposed as a major cultural, tourism, commercial and night time tourism destination. Plans include an international exhibition centre, a digital museum and carbon free green tourism performances, creating additional reasons for visitors to spend time in Siem Reap beyond visiting the temples.

The proposed development could add new attractions to the province’s tourism offering while creating opportunities for businesses connected to hospitality, retail, entertainment, events and tourism services.

From Transit Tourism to Longer Stays

A central objective of the proposed “Miracle Angkor” project is to help move Siem Reap away from a tourism model where visitors mainly arrive, visit Angkor and leave after a short stay.

By adding cultural attractions, entertainment, commercial activities and night time experiences, the project aims to encourage tourists to remain in the province longer. Longer stays could mean more spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping, entertainment and local experiences.

For local businesses and investors, this shift could be particularly important because increasing the length of stay can create greater economic value from each international visitor rather than relying only on higher visitor numbers.

The Proposal Still Requires Further Review

Although the redevelopment plan offers an ambitious vision for the former airport site, it is not yet a finalised project. The proposal will require further study, evaluation and coordination among relevant inter ministerial bodies.

Authorities will also need to ensure that any development complies with existing laws and regulations, particularly those involving aviation safety, land management and heritage protection. These considerations are important given Siem Reap’s proximity to the Angkor Archaeological Park and the cultural significance of the surrounding area.

What Does Stronger Air Connectivity Mean for Siem Reap?

The cooperation between SSCA and SAI shows that restoring passenger traffic is being approached as part of a wider tourism and economic strategy. More flights can bring more visitors, but the bigger opportunity is to connect those visitors with more attractions, businesses and experiences throughout Siem Reap.

If new routes are successfully opened and passenger numbers continue to recover, the benefits could extend beyond the airport. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, retailers, transport providers and other tourism related businesses could all gain from a larger and more diverse flow of international visitors.

Conclusion

SSCA and SAI are taking a more active approach to rebuilding Siem Reap’s air connectivity by targeting new international markets, encouraging airlines to expand services and considering incentives for new routes. At the same time, the proposed “Miracle Angkor” redevelopment could give visitors more reasons to stay longer and spend more time in the province.

The challenge will be turning these plans into sustained passenger growth while protecting Siem Reap’s heritage and ensuring development is managed responsibly. If stronger connectivity is matched with compelling tourism experiences and effective investment, aviation could become a much stronger engine for Siem Reap’s tourism recovery, business activity and long term economic growth.

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Cambodia is taking another step to strengthen its international tourism connections by launching a new airline marketing grant worth up to $60,000 per carrier. On Tuesday, the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) introduced the Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant, a program designed to work with airlines to promote Cambodia in international source markets, increase passenger demand and encourage more travellers to book flights to the Kingdom. The initiative comes as Cambodia expands its airport infrastructure and airline capacity, with the government and tourism sector looking for stronger demand to support new and existing international routes.

Rather than simply adding more flights, the program focuses on making sure travellers know about Cambodia and have a reason to visit. Under the scheme, CTB will share the cost of eligible destination marketing campaigns with participating airlines, helping them reach potential travellers in the markets they serve. The program is open to both international and local airlines operating routes to Cambodia’s international airports.

Airlines Could Receive Up to $60,000 in Marketing Support

Under the Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant, CTB will reimburse up to 50 percent of a participating airline’s verified eligible spending on destination marketing. Each airline can receive a maximum of $60,000 per grant cycle. The funding is specifically intended for campaigns that promote Cambodia as a tourism destination and generate travel demand in the markets connected to the airline’s routes.

The approach gives airlines and CTB an opportunity to combine their strengths. Airlines understand their customers, booking patterns and individual markets, while CTB brings destination marketing expertise and a broader national tourism strategy. By investing together, both sides can focus promotional campaigns on travellers who are more likely to consider Cambodia for their next trip.

CTB Chief Executive Officer Kim Minea said, “Air connectivity provides the foundation for market access, but sustained route performance also depends on passenger demand. Airlines know their markets, customers and booking behaviour, which is essential to reaching the right audiences with greater precision.”

He said, “The Fly Cambodia Co-Marketing Grant enables CTB and our airline partners to combine destination marketing expertise with airlines’ market intelligence and distribution capabilities.

By co-investing in campaigns, we can target demand more effectively, improve the impact of our marketing efforts and help turn available seats into travellers.”

Why Cambodia Needs Stronger Passenger Demand?

Cambodia has invested heavily in aviation infrastructure in recent years. According to a CTB press release, the $2.3 billion Techo International Airport, which began commercial operations in September 2025, has strengthened the Kingdom’s potential as a regional aviation hub. The $1.1 billion Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which opened in 2023, has also become a major international gateway for visitors travelling to the country.

Sihanoukville International Airport has also extended its runway, allowing it to accommodate wide body aircraft and support long haul international carriers. Together, these developments give Cambodia greater capacity to welcome international visitors. However, additional airport and airline capacity alone does not guarantee strong route performance. Airlines also need consistent passenger demand to make routes commercially sustainable.

This is the challenge the new grant is intended to address. By supporting joint marketing campaigns, CTB hopes to increase Cambodia’s visibility in international markets and persuade more travellers to choose the Kingdom. In practical terms, the strategy is about turning available airline seats into actual visitors.

Building a Stronger Global Tourism Image

The grant is part of a wider effort to strengthen Cambodia’s international tourism position. CTB is working on several key elements, including a stronger tourism narrative, clearly defined unique selling propositions and a more consistent tourism brand architecture.

The tourism body is also developing a tourism product inventory and media content library that can support international promotional campaigns. These tools are intended to give Cambodia stronger and more consistent material for marketing across different markets and platforms.

The broader objective is to address outdated perceptions of Cambodia and present the Kingdom as a destination that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Stronger destination branding could also help Cambodia attract visitors beyond its traditional markets and encourage tourists to explore destinations outside the most established tourism centres.

CTB Expands Partnerships With Airlines and Travel Platforms

The Cambodia Tourism Board has already been working with airlines and travel platforms through joint marketing activities. Recent partnerships have included Air Cambodia, Singapore Airlines and AirAsia, among others, with campaigns aimed at increasing Cambodia’s visibility and stimulating demand in important international markets.

The new grant formalises and expands this approach by giving more airlines an opportunity to participate in shared destination marketing. Instead of relying entirely on airlines to promote individual routes or CTB to promote Cambodia independently, the program creates a framework for both sides to invest in campaigns together.

For Cambodia’s tourism industry, this could be particularly important as the country seeks to diversify its international visitor base, increase arrivals and tourism revenue, encourage longer stays and spread tourism activity more widely across the country.

What Does the Grant Mean for Cambodia’s Tourism and Aviation Industry?

The initiative could give airlines a stronger incentive to promote Cambodia in the markets where they operate. For tourism businesses, stronger airline marketing could translate into greater visibility, more international visitors and potentially higher demand for hotels, restaurants, tour services, attractions and other tourism related businesses.

For travellers, the impact may appear through more Cambodia focused advertising, travel promotions and destination campaigns in international markets. For airlines, meanwhile, the grant can help reduce part of the marketing cost associated with generating demand for Cambodia bound routes.

Importantly, the funding is not designed to cover the operational costs of running an airline route. It applies only to eligible marketing activities that are intended to increase travel demand for Cambodia. This keeps the program focused on its central objective: attracting more travellers to the Kingdom.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s new $60,000 airline marketing grant comes at a time when the Kingdom has significantly expanded its aviation infrastructure and is looking to strengthen international tourism demand. By sharing destination marketing costs with airlines, CTB aims to connect Cambodia more effectively with travellers in key international markets and support the long term performance of air routes.

The bigger opportunity is not simply bringing more flights to Cambodia, but making sure those flights have enough passengers. If the Fly Cambodia Co Marketing Grant succeeds in turning stronger global promotion into more bookings, it could benefit airlines, tourism businesses and destinations across the Kingdom while helping Cambodia build a stronger position on the international tourism map.

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Cambodia is using art beneath the sea to promote Kep as a more sustainable coastal tourism destination. On August 10, 2026, officials highlighted a new partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) and Art for Kep, which aims to promote Kep internationally while supporting the development of the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery, described as Southeast Asia’s first underwater art museum. The project brings together contemporary art, marine conservation and tourism to create a new experience for visitors while supporting the protection and restoration of Kep’s marine environment.

The partnership was signed last week at Knai Bang Chatt in Kep, with the two sides planning to work together on international marketing. Through the CTB’s Matching Grant Programme, they will co invest in overseas promotion designed to attract more international visitors, encourage them to stay longer and increase economic benefits for local communities.

An Underwater Gallery Designed for Marine Life

Located off the coast of Kep inside a marine protection area, the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery offers a different kind of tourism experience. Instead of simply displaying sculptures on land, the project places artworks underwater where they can become part of the marine environment.

The sculptures are designed to provide substrates for living reefs. As marine life gradually grows around the artworks, the pieces are expected to become increasingly integrated with the surrounding ecosystem. This approach gives visitors a cultural attraction while also supporting a broader effort to strengthen the marine environment.

Linking Art With Conservation

For Kep, the project offers a way to expand its tourism identity beyond its well known coastline and seafood. Art for Kep Chairman Jef Moons said the project aimed to show Kep offers more than its coastline by combining art with marine restoration.

The idea reflects a growing interest in tourism experiences that connect visitors with nature and conservation. Rather than treating the environment simply as a backdrop for tourism, the Ocean Gallery is designed to make conservation part of the visitor experience itself.

A New Tourism Opportunity for Kep

CTB CEO Kim Minea said the partnership would highlight Kep’s mix of nature, culture and coastal experiences while supporting the gallery’s development as a destination linking contemporary art with conservation. Through CTB’s Matching Grant Programme, the two sides will co-invest in overseas marketing to attract visitors, encourage longer stays and boost local benefits.

The international promotion could help introduce Kep to travelers looking for experiences beyond traditional beach tourism. By combining underwater art, marine ecosystems and local culture, the destination has an opportunity to create a distinctive tourism product that appeals to visitors interested in nature, creativity and sustainable travel.

Building on Kep’s Coastal Identity

Kep is already known for its crab, mangroves, fishing communities and surrounding islands. It is also part of Cambodia’s wider coastal tourism area, together with Koh Kong, Kampot and Preah Sihanouk.

The underwater gallery adds another layer to this existing tourism offer. Instead of competing only on beaches and coastal scenery, Kep can use its marine environment as a setting for cultural experiences while reinforcing the importance of protecting that environment.

What Does It Mean for Sustainable Tourism?

The partnership reflects Cambodia’s broader effort to diversify its tourism products by bringing culture, conservation and nature based experiences together. For Kep, the underwater gallery could become more than a new attraction. It represents an approach where tourism development and environmental protection are designed to support each other.

If successfully promoted internationally, the project could help encourage longer visitor stays, generate additional opportunities for local businesses and strengthen Kep’s position among Cambodia’s coastal destinations. More importantly, it shows how creative tourism experiences can be developed around conservation rather than at the expense of it.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s decision to promote Kep through underwater art offers a fresh direction for coastal tourism. By combining contemporary sculpture, marine restoration and international tourism promotion, the S.E.A. Ocean Gallery gives visitors another reason to explore Kep while highlighting the importance of protecting its marine environment. The project could help Kep build a distinctive identity as a destination where art, nature and sustainable tourism meet.

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Cambodia’s iconic Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed more than 5,750 Chinese visitors in July 2026, giving China the largest share of international tourist arrivals to the historic site during the month. The figure represented a 0.54% increase compared with July last year, according to an official report released yesterday.

The modest July increase comes as Cambodia’s tourism sector continues to navigate challenges affecting international travel. While Chinese arrivals to Angkor showed signs of recovery in July, the total number of Chinese visitors to the park during the first seven months of 2026 remained below last year’s level, highlighting the wider pressures facing Cambodia’s tourism industry.

China Becomes Angkor’s Top International Market in July

The 5,750 Chinese visitors recorded in July placed China at the top of the list of international tourist markets visiting Angkor Archaeological Park that month. The increase may offer some encouragement to tourism businesses in Siem Reap, particularly hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation providers and other businesses that depend heavily on international visitors.

Angkor Archaeological Park is located in northwestern Siem Reap province and covers about 401 square kilometres. It remains Cambodia’s most important tourism destination and is home to 91 ancient temples built between the ninth and 13th centuries, with Angkor Wat serving as its most internationally recognised landmark.

Chinese Arrivals Still Down in the First Seven Months

Despite the July increase, the overall picture for 2026 remains more challenging. Angkor recorded 39,742 Chinese tourists during the first seven months of the year, representing a 25.4% decline compared with the same period last year.

This means the July growth has not yet been enough to reverse the broader decline in Chinese arrivals. For tourism operators in Siem Reap, the figures suggest that demand from the Chinese market is showing some positive movement, but a stronger and more sustained recovery may still be needed.

Regional and Global Issues Continue to Affect Tourism

Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak said Tuesday that the overall decline in international tourist arrivals is linked to a combination of regional and global challenges. He pointed to negative publicity, online scam issues and friction along the Cambodia Thailand border as factors affecting international perceptions and travel decisions.

These issues can have a direct impact on tourism confidence. When travellers become concerned about safety, border tensions or negative reports circulating online, they may delay their plans or choose alternative destinations, even when major attractions such as Angkor remain open and accessible.

Middle East Conflicts Add Pressure to Global Travel

The tourism sector is also being affected by developments far beyond Cambodia. Hak noted that geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have contributed to higher fuel prices and weakened enthusiasm for international travel.

Higher fuel costs can increase the price of air tickets and other travel services, making long distance trips more expensive for tourists. For Cambodia, which relies heavily on international visitors, global economic and geopolitical uncertainty can therefore have an impact on arrivals even when local tourism conditions remain favourable.

What Does the July Increase Mean for Cambodia’s Tourism Industry?

The July figures offer a mixed signal for Cambodia’s tourism sector. On one hand, China returning to the top position among international visitors to Angkor is a positive development and could create more opportunities for tourism businesses targeting Chinese travellers. On the other hand, the 25.4% decline in Chinese arrivals during the first seven months shows that the market has not fully recovered.

For businesses in Siem Reap, the numbers highlight the importance of staying prepared for changing tourist demand. Hotels, restaurants, tour agencies, attractions and transportation providers may benefit from improving services for Chinese travellers while also continuing to diversify their customer base across other international markets.

Conclusion

Angkor’s July figures show that Chinese tourism demand is beginning to show signs of resilience, with more than 5,750 Chinese visitors recorded during the month and China ranking as Angkor’s leading international tourist market. However, the larger seven month decline shows that Cambodia still faces significant challenges in rebuilding Chinese tourist arrivals.

For Siem Reap and Cambodia’s wider tourism industry, the key challenge will be turning short term improvements into sustained growth while addressing concerns linked to safety perceptions, regional tensions, global conflicts and rising travel costs.

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Koh Rong is moving toward becoming Cambodia’s next certified smoke free tourism destination, with authorities aiming to complete the process by the end of 2026. The initiative was discussed during a workshop held on Tuesday by the Ministry of Tourism and the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration, bringing together tourism officials, local authorities, health experts, and representatives from the private sector to develop practical measures for reducing smoking in public places across the island.

The campaign is designed not only to protect residents and visitors from exposure to tobacco smoke, but also to strengthen Koh Rong’s image as a clean, healthy, and attractive destination. Officials are now working on enforcement measures, public awareness, capacity building, and cooperation with businesses as they prepare the island for an official smoke free evaluation.

Authorities Prepare a Roadmap for Koh Rong

The workshop was chaired by Hor Sarun, State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Head of the Smoke Free Environment Working Group, representing Tourism Minister Hout Hak. Discussions focused on how authorities and tourism stakeholders can work together to ensure that smoke free regulations are properly understood and enforced.

Hor Sarun stressed the importance of strict compliance and close cooperation among relevant stakeholders. The goal is to create an environment where residents, workers, and tourists can enjoy Koh Rong without being exposed to tobacco smoke in public and tourism areas.

The initiative comes as Cambodia continues to promote responsible and sustainable tourism. For an island destination such as Koh Rong, maintaining a clean and healthy environment could also help strengthen its appeal to visitors looking for quality travel experiences.

Local Authorities and Tourism Businesses Have a Key Role

One of the main priorities is improving the capacity of municipal and sangkat authorities so they can effectively implement and monitor smoke free measures. Stronger enforcement will be needed to ensure that regulations are followed consistently across public spaces and tourism related areas.

Hospitality operators are also being encouraged to take a more active role. Hotels, restaurants, resorts, entertainment venues, and other tourism businesses will need to understand the health risks associated with tobacco smoke and help create environments that support the smoke free goal.

This means the initiative is not simply about introducing restrictions on smoking. It also depends on cooperation between government agencies, local authorities, tourism businesses, employees, and the wider community. Their combined efforts will be important in making the policy practical rather than simply a formal designation.

Around 100 Stakeholders Join the Discussion

Around 100 government officials and private sector representatives attended the workshop, highlighting the broad range of stakeholders involved in the initiative. The event included panel discussions as well as closed door strategy meetings focused on developing a practical timeline for Koh Rong’s official smoke free evaluation.

These discussions are expected to help clarify the steps that need to be completed before the island can be assessed for certification. They also provide an opportunity for authorities and businesses to identify challenges and coordinate their responsibilities ahead of the 2026 target.

For Koh Rong, achieving smoke free status could become another part of its wider tourism development strategy. Alongside its beaches, natural attractions, and growing tourism industry, a cleaner public environment could help strengthen the island’s reputation among both domestic and international visitors.

What Does Smoke Free Koh Rong Mean for Tourism?

A smoke free Koh Rong could offer several benefits for the island’s tourism sector. Visitors may feel more comfortable spending time in public areas, restaurants, hotels, and other tourism facilities where exposure to tobacco smoke is reduced. It could also support Cambodia’s broader efforts to promote healthier and more sustainable tourism destinations.

For tourism businesses, the initiative could also encourage improvements in workplace standards and visitor experiences. Operators that actively support smoke free policies may be better positioned to appeal to families, health conscious travellers, and international visitors who value clean and comfortable destinations.

At the same time, successful implementation will depend on consistent enforcement and clear communication. Authorities will need to ensure that businesses and residents understand the rules, while tourism operators will need to communicate the requirements clearly to their customers and staff.

Why Is Koh Rong Targeting 2026?

The end of 2026 has been set as the target for Koh Rong to achieve official smoke free tourism destination status. The workshop therefore represents an important step in turning the goal into an actionable plan, with authorities now focusing on capacity building, enforcement, awareness, and stakeholder coordination.

The timeline also gives local authorities and businesses time to prepare. Rather than introducing the requirements without preparation, the current approach allows stakeholders to understand what will be expected and address potential challenges before the official evaluation takes place.

Conclusion

Koh Rong’s ambition to become a certified smoke free tourism destination by the end of 2026 signals a broader effort to make Cambodia’s tourism destinations cleaner, healthier, and more visitor friendly. With around 100 officials and private sector representatives already involved in planning, the next challenge will be turning the strategy into consistent action on the ground.

If authorities, tourism businesses, and local communities work together effectively, the smoke free initiative could benefit public health while also adding another positive feature to Koh Rong’s growing tourism appeal. The success of the plan will ultimately depend on strong enforcement, business cooperation, public awareness, and sustained commitment ahead of the 2026 evaluation.

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