Cambodia's tourism industry is looking toward a potential recovery as the peak travel season begins in November, with tourism operators in Siem Reap reporting early signs of increased visitor arrivals at the Angkor Archaeological Park after a challenging period for the sector.
The November-to-February high season, particularly December and January, is bringing renewed optimism to souvenir vendors, tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides and other businesses that depend on international tourism.
However, the recovery comes after a significant decline in international arrivals at Angkor. According to state-owned Angkor Enterprise, the UNESCO World Heritage site welcomed 566,714 international visitors during the first 10 months of 2026, down 26% from the same period last year.
Tourism industry representatives believe Angkor's international appeal remains strong but say stronger destination marketing, improved travel connections and higher-quality tourism experiences will be important to restoring visitor numbers.
Key Facts
Destination: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap province.
Peak tourism season: November to February.
Busiest months: December and January.
International visitors in 2025: 955,131, down 6.7% from 2024.
International visitors, January–October 2026: 566,714.
Year-on-year decline: 26%.
Park area: Approximately 401 square kilometres.
Historical monuments: 91 temples built between the ninth and 13th centuries.
Main recovery priorities: International marketing, improved travel connections and expanded high-quality tourism experiences.
Siem Reap Tourism Businesses Hope for a Stronger Peak Season
For tourism-dependent businesses around Angkor Wat, the arrival of the peak season brings renewed expectations after months of weaker visitor activity.
To Mach, a 28-year-old souvenir vendor who has worked near Angkor Wat for four years, said the number of tourists remained modest but that activity had begun to improve.
Her stall sells a variety of Cambodian souvenirs, including carved sculptures, Angkor-printed shirts, woven bracelets, colourful bags and traditional scarves.
Mach said the global economic slowdown and regional tensions had affected the markets that previously attracted large numbers of visitors.
She hopes the coming months will bring more domestic and international tourists to Angkor Wat, supporting the livelihoods of local vendors and other tourism workers.
Her experience reflects the wider dependence of small businesses around Siem Reap on visitor spending.
Tuk-Tuk Drivers and Tour Guides See Early Signs of Recovery
The improving atmosphere is also being noticed by transport operators and tourism professionals.
Nou Rattana, a 43-year-old tuk-tuk driver, said the global economic situation and border tensions with Thailand had slowed tourism activity.
However, he observed a gradual increase in international arrivals from the beginning of November and expected visitor numbers to improve further from mid-November.
For tuk-tuk drivers, each additional visitor can generate demand for transportation between hotels, restaurants, temples and other attractions across Siem Reap.
Un Kimyoeun, a 63-year-old English-speaking tour guide, also reported an increase in both Cambodian and international visitors since the beginning of November.
The experiences shared by these tourism workers suggest improving activity at the start of the high season, although the figures provided in the report do not yet establish a sustained recovery.
Angkor Archaeological Park Remains Cambodia's Leading Tourism Attraction
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The Angkor Archaeological Park remains one of Cambodia's most important tourism assets and a major attraction for international visitors.
Located in northwestern Siem Reap province, the park covers approximately 401 square kilometres and contains 91 temples built between the ninth and 13th centuries.
Its historic monuments, architectural significance and cultural heritage make it a central part of Cambodia's international tourism identity.
Beyond Angkor Wat, visitors can explore numerous temples and archaeological sites across the wider complex, offering opportunities for cultural tourism, historical exploration and guided experiences.
The park's appeal also supports a broader tourism economy in Siem Reap, including hotels, restaurants, transport providers, tour operators, souvenir shops and local service businesses.
Angkor International Visitor Arrivals Decline 26% in 2026
Despite early signs of improvement, visitor statistics show that Angkor has experienced a difficult period.
According to Angkor Enterprise, the park welcomed 955,131 international visitors in 2025, representing a 6.7% decline compared with 2024.
The downturn continued during the first 10 months of 2026, when international arrivals fell to 566,714, a 26% decrease year-on-year.
These figures highlight the scale of the challenge facing Cambodia's heritage tourism sector.
Tourism industry representatives cited several factors affecting international travel demand, including global travel uncertainty, higher fuel costs linked to conflicts in the Middle East and border tensions.
These pressures have affected visitor confidence and travel decisions, creating difficulties for businesses that depend heavily on international arrivals.
Tourism Leaders Call for Stronger International Marketing
Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter, said Angkor Wat's international appeal remains strong despite the decline in visitor numbers.
He described Angkor Wat as an important part of humanity's cultural heritage rather than simply another tourism attraction.
Sinan said the lower visitor numbers reflected wider challenges affecting global travel access, international demand and destination confidence, rather than a loss of interest in Angkor's cultural significance.
He also emphasised the need for stronger international marketing, improved travel connections and a broader range of high-quality tourism experiences across Siem Reap province.
These measures could help Cambodia reconnect with international markets and encourage visitors to explore more of the province beyond the main temple attractions.
November–February Peak Season Offers an Opportunity for Recovery
Cambodia's main tourism season runs from November through February, with December and January generally considered the busiest months.
The cooler weather during this period makes it more attractive for visitors to explore outdoor destinations, archaeological sites and cultural attractions.
For Siem Reap's tourism businesses, the coming months represent an important opportunity to improve revenue after a difficult period.
A stronger peak season could benefit not only Angkor's ticketing and tourism operations but also accommodation providers, restaurants, transportation businesses, tour guides, souvenir vendors and other local enterprises.
However, the scale of any recovery will depend on international travel demand, regional conditions and the effectiveness of Cambodia's tourism promotion efforts.
Angkor Times Analysis
The beginning of Cambodia's peak tourism season brings renewed hope for Siem Reap, but the latest visitor statistics show that the recovery challenge remains significant.
The 26% decline in international arrivals at Angkor during the first 10 months of 2026 indicates that the destination has not yet returned to stronger visitor levels. The positive experiences reported by local tourism workers in early November are encouraging, but they should be viewed as preliminary signs rather than evidence of a full recovery.
For Siem Reap's economy, the importance of Angkor extends far beyond entrance ticket revenue. International visitors support a broad network of businesses, from hotels and restaurants to tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides, souvenir vendors and local producers.
A sustained recovery therefore requires a coordinated approach.
First, Cambodia needs stronger international destination marketing that highlights Angkor's cultural significance while promoting the wider range of experiences available throughout Siem Reap province.
Second, convenient international travel connections and clear travel information will be important in rebuilding visitor confidence.
Third, tourism operators should continue developing high-quality experiences that encourage longer stays and wider spending across the local economy.
Cambodia also has an opportunity to promote cultural tourism, community-based tourism, local cuisine and other attractions alongside the Angkor temple complex.
Ultimately, Angkor Wat's global recognition provides Cambodia with an important foundation for tourism recovery. Turning that recognition into sustained visitor growth will depend on effective promotion, reliable travel access and the quality of experiences offered to visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When does Cambodia's peak tourism season begin?
The main high season runs from November through February, with December and January generally being the busiest months.
2. How many international visitors visited Angkor in 2025?
Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed 955,131 international visitors in 2025, down 6.7% from 2024.
3. How many international visitors did Angkor receive in the first 10 months of 2026?
The park recorded 566,714 international visitors between January and October 2026.
4. How much did international arrivals decline in 2026?
International visitor arrivals fell by 26% compared with the same period in 2025.
5. How large is Angkor Archaeological Park?
The park covers approximately 401 square kilometres in Siem Reap province.
6. How many temples are located within Angkor Archaeological Park?
The park contains 91 temples built between the ninth and 13th centuries, according to the Xinhua report.
7. What challenges have affected tourism in Siem Reap?
The report identifies global economic uncertainty, rising fuel costs linked to Middle East conflicts and regional border tensions as factors affecting travel demand.
8. What do tourism leaders recommend to support recovery?
Tourism representatives highlight stronger international marketing, improved travel connections and a wider range of high-quality tourism experiences.
9. Which local businesses benefit from Angkor tourism?
Hotels, restaurants, tuk-tuk drivers, tour guides, souvenir vendors, transport operators and other tourism-related businesses benefit from visitor spending.
Sources and Further Reading
Xinhua — "High hopes rise for tourism recovery at Cambodia's famed Angkor Park as peak season arrives," November 9, 2026.
Angkor Enterprise — International visitor statistics for 2025 and January–October 2026, as cited by Xinhua.
Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia Chapter — Comments by Chairman Thourn Sinan, as reported by Xinhua.