Cambodia targets 600,000 Chinese visitors through visa-free pilot scheme
The four-month initiative aims to accelerate the recovery of Chinese arrivals.
Cambodia.- Cambodia expects to attract at least 600,000 Chinese visitors during a four-month visa-free trial launched on June 15, as authorities seek to strengthen tourism flows from one of the country’s most important source markets.
Huot Hak, minister of tourism of Singapore, told The Cambodia China Times that the government expects the temporary visa exemption programme to simplify travel procedures for Chinese tourists while reinforcing bilateral tourism ties between the two countries. The pilot scheme will remain in effect until October 15 and allows Chinese nationals to enter Cambodia without a visa for stays of up to 14 days.
Huot Hak said the measure is designed to reduce travel barriers by streamlining entry procedures, improving customs clearance processes and enhancing reception services for visitors. He described the initiative as both a tourism policy and a gesture of friendship towards Chinese travellers, according to The Cambodia China Times.
The move comes as Cambodia seeks to rebuild visitor numbers from China, which was previously its largest international tourism market. Government officials have identified the visa-free program as a key component of efforts to restore arrivals to pre-pandemic levels and stimulate spending across the hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors.
The initiative also follows signs of weakness in Cambodia’s tourism performance earlier this year. According to official data, international tourist arrivals to the country declined during the first four months of 2026. China, Vietnam and the United States remained Cambodia’s three largest source markets during the first four months of the year. Chinese arrivals reached 331,199 visitors, followed by 312,021 from Vietnam and 80,300 from the United States. However, all three markets saw year-on-year declines (of 14.5 per cent, 24 per cent, and 11.5 per cent, respectively).
