Chinese tourist arrivals to Cambodia jumped 67.6 percent in the first two months of 2025, according to new data from the Ministry of Tourism. China now ranks as Cambodia’s third-largest source of international visitors, behind only Thailand and Vietnam. Between January and February this year, 184,372 Chinese tourists visited the Kingdom, compared to 109,990 during the same period in 2024.

Tourism Minister Huot Hak officially declared 2025 the “Cambodia-China Year of Tourism” in a New Year message to Chinese nationals and overseas communities. The announcement aligns with the government's expectation of welcoming more than 1 million Chinese tourists this year. Secretary of State Hun Dany highlighted the role of the Belt and Road Initiative in facilitating this growth, crediting key infrastructure projects like the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport for enhancing travel accessibility.

Tourism remains a vital pillar of Cambodia’s economy. The country features a mix of cultural heritage and natural attractions, including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a 450-kilometre coastline across four southwestern provinces. In 2024, Cambodia welcomed nearly 850,000 Chinese tourists, a 55 percent increase from the previous year, reinforcing China’s status as the top market for Cambodian tourism.

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