Cambodia is considering wider visa-free access and more direct international flights as the country seeks to reverse a decline in foreign visitor arrivals.
The proposals were discussed during a government-private sector tourism working group meeting chaired by Tourism Minister Huot Hak on Tuesday, according to the Cambodia China Times.
Hak said international arrivals fell significantly in the first half of 2026, citing negative publicity surrounding online scams, tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border and higher oil prices linked to instability in the Middle East.
Industry representatives submitted 11 proposals, including expanding visa-free entry for key source markets, establishing a tourism development fund and strengthening overseas promotion.
They also called for improvements to domestic aviation networks, a more favourable tourism investment environment and additional direct services linking Cambodia with priority international markets.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, civil aviation authorities, airlines and industry stakeholders were urged to strengthen coordination on new routes.
The discussions come as passenger traffic across Cambodia’s three main international airports fell 9 percent year-on-year to 3.71 million in the first seven months of 2026, the newspaper reported, citing the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.
Aircraft movements were broadly flat at 37,248, while air cargo volume rose 21 percent to 57,102 tonnes.
Cambodia introduced a four-month visa exemption for Chinese citizens on 15th June. The policy allows stays of up to 14 days and runs until 15th October.
