The goal of attracting at least 1 million Chinese tourists by 2025 may be achievable. However, do not underestimate the relevant regional and international situation and circumstances.
An analyst said that the policy issue And the infrastructure that supports attracting Chinese tourists to Cambodia is not an obstacle, everything is favorable. But the related situation can hinder and influence it. “Tourism is a sensitive sector and is closely related to various situations, whether economic, war or health,” he said.
He claimed that the recent wave of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, regional and international issues, especially the US tariffs and the US-China trade war, are all things that affect the tourism sector. “The situation is not bad right now, but don’t let your guard down because things are very unpredictable,” he said.
The analyst said that For Cambodia, the goals set are not as ambitious as those of neighboring countries; they are in line with the resources and opportunities that Cambodia can attract. But the international situation and circumstances are very difficult to predict, such as a war between India and Pakistan.
Regarding this tourism plan, the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism has already announced that it will cooperate with the Chinese Embassy to organize an event called “Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025”.
The events that will be officially opened on May 23-25, 2025, as a result of the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia, are all events that will promote the Cambodian and Chinese tourism markets.
The Ministry of Tourism said that The event will feature a joint Cambodian-Chinese art performance at the Chatomuk Conference Hall in Phnom Penh, as well as for the public to see at the Techo Meas Techo Yot Park and along the footpath along the Chatomuk River.
So far, Chinese tourists are Cambodia’s third-largest tourism market after Thailand and Vietnam. The Ministry of Tourism said that in the first quarter of 2025, Cambodia received 1.83 million international tourists, with more than 280,000 tourists from China, an increase of about 50.6 percent. According to this figure, it will not be difficult to attract 1 million Chinese tourists by 2025.
In 2024, Cambodia received a total of more than 6.66 million tourists, including more than 840,000 Chinese tourists, an increase of 55 percent compared to 2023.
