Cambodia’s tourism sector experienced significant growth in 2024, attracting 6.7 million foreign visitors, marking a 23% increase compared to the previous year. This performance surpassed the Philippines, which recorded 5.4 million arrivals during the same period.

Hun Dany, Secretary of State and Spokeswoman for Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, attributed the achievement to effective tourism promotion policies, enhanced tourism offerings, and improvements in hospitality and services. Key source markets for Cambodia included Thailand, Vietnam, China, Laos, and the United States.

In contrast, the Philippines, traditionally known as Asia’s premier beach destination, fell short of its target of 7.7 million foreign arrivals in 2024. However, the country still achieved a record tourism revenue of PHP 760.5 billion (approximately US$13 billion). Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines welcomed 8.2 million international visitors, well above Cambodia’s 6.6 million.

Looking ahead, Cambodia has set a goal to attract 7 million international tourists in 2025. To reach this target, the Cambodian government plans to simplify the e-visa application process and reduce e-visa fees, making it easier for visitors to access the country.