Cambodia boosts tourism drive to rebuild traveller confidence
Cambodia will start new efforts to convince international travellers that it is a safe and welcoming destination, as authorities continue an extensive crackdown on online scam operations that have damaged the country’s reputation in recent years.
Speaking at a tourism business forum in the coastal city of Sihanoukville, Tourism Minister Huot Hak said Cambodia remains a “safe” and “friendly” destination for visitors. He also outlined plans to improve tourism services and strengthen the country’s appeal, particularly among Chinese travellers, who remain Cambodia’s largest single source market.
The renewed tourism campaign comes at a sensitive time. Sihanoukville, once promoted as one of Cambodia’s fastest-growing tourism hubs, has attracted international attention in recent years over reports linking some casino compounds to online scam networks and allegations of forced labour.
Multiple casinos closed
To address those concerns, Cambodian authorities launched a new enforcement efforts over the past year. According to government figures cited by local and Chinese media, officials inspected 195 licenced casinos nationwide and found that 72 were allegedly involved in illegal online scams. Those casinos have since ceased operations.
The inspections formed part of a much wider campaign targeting cybercrime. Between June 2025 and June 2026, Cambodian authorities carried out raids on 737 suspected online scam operations across the country. According to government data, investigations covered more than 28,500 locations as officials sought to dismantle criminal networks operating from Cambodia.
At the forum, Huot said the government is working to improve service standards across the tourism sector and to create a stronger business environment in Sihanoukville to encourage both tourism and investment.
Visa-free entries to extend?
The minister also highlighted Cambodia’s temporary visa-free entry scheme for Chinese passport holders, which runs from 15 June until 15 October. The programme is aimed at both leisure and business travellers from mainland China and forms part of broader efforts to revive visitor numbers.
Officials hope the combination of easier travel, stronger regulation and improved tourism services will help restore confidence among Chinese visitors.
Provincial Governor Mang Sineth echoed that message during the event, saying local and national authorities would continue taking action against online scam businesses operating in the province.
According to him, the ongoing enforcement campaign is intended not only to combat organised crime but also to reassure visitors that Cambodia is becoming a safer destination.
The tourism forum attracted Chinese government officials, business leaders and travel industry representatives from several cities, including Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Nanjing and Wuxi, highlighting Cambodia’s continued focus on rebuilding ties with the Chinese market.
China remains Cambodia’s most important international tourism source. Government data shows that 452,263 Chinese tourists visited Cambodia during the first six months of the year, accounting for 25.8 per cent of the country’s 1.75 million international arrivals.
Arrivals from China fall
However, the figures also illustrate the scale of the challenge ahead. Arrivals from mainland China fell 22.9 per cent year-on-year, while Cambodia’s overall international visitor numbers declined by 47.9 per cent over the same period.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has also called on provincial authorities to maintain pressure on online fraud networks, stressing that stronger laws are important to rebuild investor confidence and restore Cambodia’s international image.
With stricter enforcement now running alongside initiatives to attract more visitors, Cambodia hopes it can gradually rebuild trust among travellers while distancing itself from the criminal activity that has overshadowed parts of its tourism industry in recent years.
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