What a year it's been so far in 2025. The tourism and hospitality industry, which remains a key pillar of the Cambodian economy, has had to overcome challenges after the start of the year provided so much promise.
The launch of the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism 2025, an uptick in tourist arrivals in the first half of 2025, and the excitement of new air routes and the launch of the Techo International Airport officially confirmed for September 9 all provide room for optimism - and a buoyant tourism industry is good for the property sector too.
This excitement has been tempered by the ongoing trade war and pending increase in tariffs with the United States, and the border conflict with Thailand, which has had immediate impacts and will likely filter through for the Q3 results when they are announced.
What is on the horizon and what’s new for travellers in Cambodia 2025? We provide some essential updates.
First Half of 2025 Showed Tourism Promise
We have always maintained that you need to apply a sense of restraint when looking at the data released on Cambodian tourism figures. Air arrivals are arguably more valuable than those crossing by land, as these tourists will generally be bigger spenders.
But Cambodia is suffering from brand optics in the region, and since mid-2024, there has been a drop-off from important Asian markets such as Japan and Korea, and reputational issues are a huge part of this.
- There were 3.65 million domestic and international passengers that passed through all three Cambodian airports in the first half of 2025, which is a 20 per cent increase over the same period in 2024 (according to the SCCA).
- The Ministry of Tourism reported that Cambodia’s international tourists in the first six months of 2025 showed a 6.2 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
- Cambodia’s airports' inbound and outbound (two-way) flights reached 58,354 by the end of June 2025.
Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), and Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS) combined welcomed 1.42 million international visitors, reported the MoT, but more than 1.9 million arrived via land and waterways. A majority of these were from Thailand (nearly a million), followed by Vietnam and China.
Cambodia’s civil aviation sector was expected to see annual growth of 16% to 20% before the most recent Thailand conflict escalations.
Still the biggest tourist attraction, Angkor Enterprise reported that 560,000 international tourists bought tickets to visit the Angkor site from January to June 2025, and foreign tourist numbers to the site have grown 8.76 per cent compared to 2024. Unfortunately, the numbers still lag behind pre-pandemic levels.
Find out more in our Guide to Retiring in Cambodia
Lead-up to New Techo International Airport Launch in Phnom Penh
The US$1.5B Techo International Airport will commence operations on September 9, 2025, with the official inauguration planned for October 20.
This means the current Phnom Penh International Airport will no longer be used. It is strongly advised that all passengers check with their airlines about the changes, as we have already seen correspondence and notices from several local and international airlines warning passengers of the changes.
In some cases, flights beyond September 2025 to Phnom Penh are not available to be booked on certain airlines temporarily while systems change and are updated with the airport codes switching from PNH to Phnom Penh Techo International Airport (KTI).
The airport development project is a public-private partnership between Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) and the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) under the Cambodia Airport Investment Co Ltd (CAIC). They said, “The airport's construction is expected to significantly boost Cambodia's connectivity and economic growth.”
It was also confirmed that Cambodia Airports (a subsidiary of VINCI Airports, the world’s leading private airport operator) and operator of the current Phnom Penh Airport, will operate the new airport. Their appointment was confirmed in an agreement signed by Neak Oknha Dr. Pung Kheav Se, Chairman of CAIC, and Nicolas Notebaert, Chief Executive Officer of Concessions at VINCI, and President of VINCI Airports on July 10, 2025.
When launched, the passenger terminal will feature both global and local brands. Two French companies, Lagardere Travel Retail and Newrest, were previously announced to be operating the airport’s duty-free and food & beverage outlets (36 food service locations) at the airport.
A pilot rollout of smart gates will be launched at the airport, which will help streamline passenger entry. Similar smart gates are in operation in the region, including in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and more.
Sok Veasna, Director General of the General Department of Immigration, said, "Travellers simply need to complete the necessary forms and have their visa ready. They can then pass through the smart gates without waiting in line to get their passports stamped.”
He added that these border control systems might be implemented at land checkpoints in the near future.
Discover more about the Techo International Airport
Digital Immigration and Electronic Forms to Enter Cambodia in 2025
There have been several improvements to the tourism and arrival forms for anyone entering Cambodia in recent years, as the process has been digitised where possible.
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) in Cambodia introduced a trial run of the Cambodia v-Pass (Visitor Pass) system to replace immigration stamps or QR code stickers on July 1, 2025, at all international airports and seaports.
This means all foreign visitors who have cleared immigration in Cambodia will receive an electronic visitor pass instead of a physical Immigration stamp or QR code sticker.
This will be sent via email or through the e-Arrival website/mobile app at international air checkpoints and should be welcomed as it's easier than the already recently introduced stamp size QR stickers in passports and much better than the previous visas, which took up an entire page in one's passport.
Process When Entering Cambodia (You still need to complete your visa and the Cambodia e-arrival app, which includes customs forms and e-arrival declarations.)
- Present your passport at immigration
- The immigration officer will process your entry
- Instead of receiving a physical stamp, you will receive a v-Pass via email
- Keep this v-Pass accessible during your stay
During Your Stay in Cambodia
- You may be asked to show your v-Pass for verification purposes
- You can display it on your mobile device or print it out
- Always respect the duration of stay indicated on your v-Pass
Departing Cambodia
- Present your passport at the departure immigration
- Your departure will be recorded in the system
- No physical exit stamp is needed
Read Up On How to Get a Visa for Cambodia: 2025 Guide
The GDI said they have been more stringent on visitor entry for visitors who do not meet the proper conditions, such as unclear travel history or purpose of travel, or lack of ability to support themselves during their stay in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
New Air Routes Planned 2025-2026
There have been negotiations for new flight connections to India, the Middle East and secondary Chinese cities to Cambodia.
Recent route launches include Air Cambodia's flight from Siem Reap to Shenzhen, China, as well as its flights between Phnom Penh and Shenzhen both in July 2025.
Emirates Airlines launched flights between Siem Reap and Dubai with a stop in Bangkok in June 2025.
- An MoU was signed with Turkiye at the start of July 2025, aiming to boost connectivity.
US-based Global X Airlines discussed opening an airline in Cambodia, under a proposal that is now "under consideration" by the SCCA. - Ethiopian Airlines and Air Cambodia signed an MoU on July 11 to enhance connectivity and promote tourism and business between Africa and Cambodia
- Three South Korean airlines, East Jet Airways, T’way Air, and Jeju Air, have applied to operate flights to Siem Reap, and the carriers are expected to begin service by the end of 2025.
- Airlines launching routes to Siem Reap in October 2025 are IndiGo Air from India, Firefly Airlines from Malaysia, Qatar
- Airways to Doha, and South Korea’s Eastar Jet.
- Air Cambodia announced its new routes from Phnom Penh-Fuzhou-Tokyo, which will launch in October 2025, and Phnom Penh-Fuzhou-Osaka is due to launch in March 2026.
Japan’s ANA (All Nippon Airways) used to offer direct connections between Cambodia and Japan; however, the route was discontinued in January 2021, but some sources have reported they may resume flights to Cambodia in 2026.
The SAI management team has indicated via local media that they are working to expand air services to additional markets in Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, and Australia.
Long-Term Branding
The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia will impact the tourism-dependent economy, and the impacts have already been felt, but there will be some lag in the impacts, too.
Tourism contributed about 9 per cent to Cambodia’s GDP in 2024. A concerted effort, prolonged campaigns, policy tools, and tourism promotion will need to alleviate the fears in the local, regional and international markets.
The launch of the new airport is so crucial in this, and so much needs to be properly and exhaustively promoted in advance to allow new and current passengers to know what changes there are and address safety concerns and travel options to the airport and the capital.
The efforts during the conflict from the civil aviation operators were aimed at minimising any disruption to passengers, freight operators and businesses reliant on timely transportation.
These were designed to minimise disruptions to the aviation sector, and they should be applauded as they play a critical role in sustaining cross-border trade and tourism.
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