Cambodia is stepping up its tourism game through a new partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines, aimed at attracting more international travelers and strengthening the country’s global presence. Signed on April 27 in Phnom Penh, the nine month agreement brings together key industry leaders, including Tourism Minister Huot Hak, to support a shared vision of expanding tourism flows between Cambodia and Singapore while reaching new markets worldwide.

Joint Marketing Campaigns to Reach Global Travelers

At the heart of the agreement is a co investment of 140,000 US dollars to fund joint marketing campaigns and familiarisation trips. These initiatives will target influential voices and travelers from Australia, France, and Singapore, while also laying the groundwork for longer term promotion in India.

By combining resources and expertise, both sides aim to amplify Cambodia’s visibility in competitive tourism markets and appeal to a broader, more diverse audience of global travelers.

Showcasing Cambodia Through a Global Airline Network

Vinod Kannan, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing at Singapore Airlines, highlighted the strategic advantage of the collaboration.

“Through joint campaigns and promotional activities, we will showcase Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions, while offering travellers convenient access via SIA’s global network.”

His remarks underline how the airline’s extensive international connectivity can play a key role in making Cambodia more accessible and appealing to long haul visitors.

Building Confidence in Cambodia’s Tourism Potential

For Minea Kim, the partnership signals growing confidence in Cambodia’s tourism sector.

“By working closely with this world renowned airline, we aim to strengthen our global outreach, attract more inbound travellers, and reshape outdated perceptions, highlighting Cambodia as a warm, welcoming and vibrant destination,” he said.

The collaboration is expected to not only increase visitor numbers but also improve how Cambodia is perceived on the global stage.

A Timely Boost for Recovery and Regional Competitiveness

Tourism Minister Huot Hak described the agreement as “a timely boost for Cambodia’s recovery and diversification strategy,” emphasizing its importance as the country works to rebuild and modernize its tourism industry.

With regional competition intensifying, partnerships like this are seen as essential to positioning Cambodia more strongly and ensuring it stands out as a destination of choice in Southeast Asia.

Conclusion

This partnership between the Cambodia Tourism Board and Singapore Airlines marks a strategic step forward in revitalizing Cambodia’s tourism sector. By leveraging global networks, targeted marketing, and international collaboration, the initiative is set to attract new visitors, strengthen the country’s image, and support long term growth.

As Cambodia continues to compete in a dynamic regional market, such alliances will be critical in shaping a more resilient and globally recognized tourism industry.

Cambodia is getting ready to roll out its nationwide “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season 2026” campaign, a major initiative designed to turn the traditionally quieter rainy months into a vibrant and attractive travel period. Running from May to October, the campaign is led by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the Ministry of Information and private sector players.

The goal is clear to boost both domestic and international travel while building a more balanced tourism industry that performs well throughout the year rather than relying heavily on peak seasons.

A Fresh Way to Experience Cambodia

At the core of the campaign is a shift in perception. Instead of calling it the low season, officials are reframing it as the green season to highlight the country’s natural beauty at its best.

Officials say the ‘Visit Cambodia in the Green Season’ offers a unique travel experience to tourists, with rice fields in full bloom, waterfalls at their peak, and heritage sites such as Angkor Wat taking on a more tranquil atmosphere. During this time, Cambodia becomes greener, cooler, and far less crowded, offering visitors a peaceful and immersive experience that is often missed during busier months.

More Affordable Travel Opportunities

Another key advantage of the green season is affordability. Tourism authorities are promoting discounted hotel rates, special travel packages, and seasonal promotions to attract budget conscious travelers and tour operators. By positioning this period as a value driven option, Cambodia is working to overcome the long held belief that the rainy season limits travel. Instead, the campaign presents it as an opportunity to explore the country in a more relaxed and cost effective way.

Encouraging Cambodians to Explore Locally

Domestic tourism plays a central role in the 2026 strategy. Authorities are encouraging people across Cambodia to travel within the country and discover lesser known destinations, especially rural areas and eco tourism sites. This approach helps spread tourism revenue beyond major hotspots while supporting local communities, small businesses, and community based tourism projects. It also strengthens national pride by encouraging citizens to connect with their own cultural and natural heritage.

Strong Growth from the 2025 Pilot Phase

The campaign builds on impressive results from its earlier rollout. The 2025 pilot phase recorded a sharp increase in domestic travel, with a total of 9.46 million visitors between May and October. This marked a significant rise of about 64.7 percent compared to the same period in 2024, showing that the concept of green season travel is gaining traction and reshaping travel habits.

Visitor Numbers During Green Season 2025

1. Total visitors from May to October 9.46 million
2. Growth compared to 2024 64.7 percent increase

Promoting Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

Sustainability is at the heart of the campaign. Officials are promoting environmentally responsible travel by encouraging visits to eco resorts, protected natural areas, and cultural heritage sites that prioritize conservation. By spreading tourist arrivals more evenly across the year, Cambodia also aims to reduce overcrowding at popular destinations and minimize environmental pressure, helping preserve its natural and cultural assets for the future.

Expanding Promotion and Global Reach

To ensure the campaign reaches a wide audience, the government is stepping up its marketing efforts across digital platforms and traditional media. Social media campaigns, partnerships with travel agencies, and collaborations with influencers are all part of the strategy to showcase Cambodia’s beauty during the rainy season. Authorities are also exploring additional measures such as targeted promotions in key international markets, infrastructure improvements, and possible visa incentives to attract more global travelers.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s Green Season campaign for 2026 reflects a smart and strategic shift in how the country approaches tourism. By turning a once overlooked period into a compelling travel opportunity, the initiative not only supports steady economic growth but also promotes sustainability and inclusivity across the sector. With strong early results and a clear long term vision, Cambodia is positioning itself as a year round destination that offers something unique in every season.

Travel activity reached a major milestone at Techo International Airport during the recent Khmer New Year celebrations, as passenger numbers climbed sharply over the festive period. According to the General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, the airport handled more than 100,000 international passengers between April 13 and April 19. Among them were over 34,000 foreign travelers, reflecting a strong influx of international visitors choosing Cambodia as a holiday destination during one of its most important cultural events.

Strong Inbound Travel Reflects Tourism Momentum

A closer look at the figures shows that inbound travel made up a significant share of the total traffic. More than 50,000 international passengers arrived in Cambodia during the period, including over 30,000 foreigners. This steady flow of arrivals highlights the country’s growing appeal to global travelers and signals continued recovery and expansion in the tourism sector, particularly during peak festive seasons when cultural experiences draw large crowds.

Flight Activity Peaks Over Three Day Holiday

The surge in passengers was especially evident during the official three day New Year holiday. Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, shared detailed insights into airport operations during this peak window. He said:
“during the three-day New Year holiday from April 14 to 16, 2026, Techo International Airport hosted nearly 350 departing flights, carrying close to 40,000 passengers.”
This high volume of departures demonstrates both strong outbound travel demand and the airport’s capacity to efficiently handle increased flight operations during busy travel periods.

Daily Passenger Highlights for Easy Reference

For a clearer view of travel patterns during the holiday period, here is a simplified breakdown of key passenger activity

1. April 13 to 19 total international passengers exceeded 100,000
2. Total foreign passengers surpassed 34,000
3. Inbound international passengers exceeded 50,000
4. Inbound foreign passengers surpassed 30,000
5. April 14 to 16 nearly 350 departing flights carried close to 40,000 passengers

Conclusion

The impressive surge in passenger traffic at Techo International Airport during Khmer New Year reflects both strong travel demand and Cambodia’s growing position as a regional tourism hub. With more than 100,000 international passengers recorded in just one week, alongside high flight activity and a large number of inbound visitors, the figures point to a vibrant recovery in air travel and tourism. As infrastructure and connectivity continue to improve, Cambodia is well positioned to attract even more travelers in the years ahead.

Record Breaking Holiday Travel Across the Kingdom

Cambodia experienced an extraordinary wave of travel during the three day Khmer New Year celebration from April 14 to 16, with more than 21 million visitors recorded nationwide, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Official figures released on Thursday showed a sharp rise in festive movement, reflecting strong domestic enthusiasm and a steady return of international travelers. The total included around 1.14 million domestic overnight tourists, 19.9 million day trippers, and over 71,000 international visitors, highlighting the scale and vibrancy of this year’s celebrations across the country.

Top Destinations Draw Massive Crowds

Several provinces and cities stood out as the most popular destinations, attracting millions of visitors during the holiday period. The capital Phnom Penh led the list, followed closely by other key provinces that hosted large scale festivities and cultural events. For easier reading, here are the top destinations and their visitor numbers:

1. Phnom Penh with 4.40 million visitors
2. Kampong Cham with 4.17 million visitors
3. Prey Veng with 2.32 million visitors
4. Siem Reap with 1.79 million visitors
5. Kampong Speu with 1.71 million visitors

These destinations became lively hubs of celebration, blending traditional culture with modern entertainment to attract both local residents and visitors from abroad.

Celebrations Bring Communities Together

In Phnom Penh, municipal spokesman Dao Samphors highlighted the scale of activities, noting that people gathered at six major event sites as well as the former Phnom Penh International Airport to take part in traditional Khmer games. Festivities extended across all 14 districts, with Sankranta events hosted at local pagodas to ensure that celebrations were accessible to communities throughout the capital. These events created a festive atmosphere that brought people of all ages together to celebrate Cambodian culture and heritage.

Safe and Well Organised Festivities

Samphors described the “Nokor Sangkranta” celebrations as joyful and well organised, with authorities maintaining strong public order and security throughout the holiday. The smooth coordination between local administrations and national authorities ensured that millions of people could celebrate safely, with no major incidents reported. This level of organisation played a key role in managing the large crowds while preserving a peaceful and enjoyable environment for everyone involved.

Tourism Recovery Gains Strong Momentum

The surge in travel during Khmer New Year signals a strong recovery for Cambodia’s tourism sector. The combination of high profile urban events and traditional rural gatherings helped drive visitor numbers to record levels. Authorities credited the success to careful planning and close cooperation between institutions, which enabled them to handle the significant influx of holidaymakers efficiently. This momentum reflects renewed confidence in Cambodia as a vibrant and safe destination for both domestic and international tourism.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s impressive tourism figures during the 2026 Khmer New Year highlight the country’s cultural appeal and growing travel confidence. With millions of people participating in celebrations across the nation, the holiday not only strengthened community bonds but also reinforced the recovery of the tourism sector. As the country continues to build on this momentum, Cambodia is well positioned to attract even greater numbers of visitors in the years ahead.

As Cambodia celebrates the vibrant Khmer New Year, thousands of tourists are making their way to the iconic Angkor Wat, turning the ancient temple complex into a lively cultural hub. Visitors from across the country, along with international travelers, have shared their excitement about experiencing the festivities in such a historic setting. Many describe a strong sense of pride and joy as they take part in the celebrations, surrounded by one of the world’s most remarkable cultural landmarks. The combination of tradition, history, and community spirit creates an atmosphere that feels both meaningful and unforgettable.

Visitors Highlight Peace and Safety

Even as the region faces broader challenges such as rising fuel costs and ongoing border concerns, tourists say their experience in Siem Reap Province remains reassuringly calm and secure. Many emphasize that traveling to Angkor during major holidays continues to feel safe and well organized. For many visitors, this sense of stability adds to the overall appeal, making their holiday not only enjoyable but also stress free. The province stands out as a destination where people can relax and celebrate without worry, reinforcing its reputation as a welcoming place for both domestic and international guests.

A Destination That Keeps Visitors Coming Back

Travelers often point out that Angkor Archaeological Park holds a special place among ancient sites in the region. Its historical significance and architectural beauty continue to draw repeat visitors, especially during major celebrations such as Khmer New Year and other traditional holidays. Many tourists say they intentionally choose Angkor as their destination during these periods, not only for its cultural value but also for the unique experience it offers during festive seasons. Beyond the temples, Siem Reap provides a range of attractions that enrich the overall travel experience.

Clean, Green, and Well Managed Environment

Another highlight frequently mentioned by visitors is the impressive level of cleanliness and organization throughout the Angkor site. Despite the intense summer heat, the area remains green, well maintained, and visually stunning. Tourists appreciate the careful management that ensures both preservation and comfort, allowing them to fully enjoy their visit. The balance between protecting heritage and accommodating large crowds is clearly visible, contributing to a positive and memorable experience for everyone.

Strong Visitor Numbers Reflect Growing Appeal

According to the Department of Culture and Tourism under the APSARA National Authority, the first day of Khmer New Year on April 14, 2026 saw a total of 22,671 visitors exploring the Angkor area. This included 20,580 domestic tourists and 2,091 international visitors, highlighting the strong appeal of the destination during peak holiday periods. These figures underline the continued growth of tourism in Siem Reap and the enduring attraction of Angkor Wat as a centerpiece of Cambodia’s cultural identity.

Cultural Events Add to the Celebration

Beyond the temple complex, local authorities in Siem Reap, working together with the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, have organized a variety of cultural and recreational activities across the city. These events bring additional energy to the celebrations, offering visitors more ways to engage with Cambodian traditions. From performances to community gatherings, the city becomes a vibrant destination where culture and celebration come together seamlessly.

Conclusion

The surge of visitors to Angkor Wat during Khmer New Year highlights more than just a successful holiday season. It reflects Cambodia’s ability to offer a safe, welcoming, and culturally rich destination even in uncertain times. With its well preserved heritage, strong management, and lively festive atmosphere, Siem Reap continues to strengthen its position as one of the region’s most compelling travel destinations.

Source: AKP