PHNOM PENH-According to an article released today by the state-run Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP), Cambodia is deploying flexible and adaptive strategies to counter a combination of external and internal challenges threatening the resilience of its tourism sector.
Rising global fuel prices caused by the outbreak of conflict in Iran have increased international travel costs, while negative media coverage, cybercrime concerns, and localized border issues between Cambodia and Thailand have further compounded pressures on the nation’s tourism industry.
In response, the Cambodia Tourism Board (CTB) convened its 10th meeting to establish urgent, high-priority measures aimed at restoring tourist confidence and boosting arrivals. Key strategies focus on expanding direct market outreach and capturing regional “Plus 1” travelers passing through transit hubs such as Vietnam and Singapore.
To rebuild trust among international travelers, Cambodia is strengthening partnerships with major foreign media outlets, inviting foreign journalists, travel agencies, and prominent digital content creators to experience the country firsthand, while actively promoting foreign film production on location.
Furthermore, Cambodia is positioning itself to capitalize on several major international opportunities throughout late 2026 and early 2027. These include China’s four-month visa-free initiative, the 20th Francophonie Summit hosted in Cambodia, the Legend Tours 2026 World Golf Championship, various international sports competitions, and several high-profile concert series.
On the domestic front, AKP highlighted progress made during the August 4 review of the Royal Government-Private Sector Forum’s Tourism Working Group (Group “B”). The group outlined 22 action items, two of which are already actively underway: converting the Phnom Kulen area into a dedicated natural tourism hub, and establishing green belts around primary tourist regions to fortify local agricultural supply chains and incentivize domestic travel.
These efforts align with an ongoing inter-agency initiative launched on July 30, where four government ministries united to elevate Cambodian-made products as tools of tourism diplomacy. Under this joint framework, the Ministry of Commerce is ensuring local goods feature the “Made in Cambodia” mark, the Ministry of Culture is highlighting authentic national identity, the Ministry of Industry is enforcing production quality standards, and the Ministry of Tourism is integrating local craftsmanship into broader international promotional campaigns.