PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is confident that it will soon welcome greater numbers of Chinese tourists and investors in the future, thanks to a pledge by the Cambodia-China Cultural Tourism Bridge Development Association to promote the Kingdom’s tourism and investment potential to its members.
The pledge comes as the government prepares for the pilot of a visa-waiver programme, which will grant holders of People’s Republic of China (PRC) passports free entry from mid-June to mid-October.
Yong Li Chai, representative of the Cambodia-China development association, met with Minister of Tourism Hout Hak on Thursday (May 7).
During the meeting, he presented the association’s new initiatives related to Cambodia-China tourism products.
“The association will work with the ministry to promote and attract more major investors from China to Cambodia,” he said.
Hak expressed gratitude for the association’s achievements and initiatives, as well as for the efforts of its member companies — including any major firms from China — that have helped promote Cambodia’s tourism potential and investment opportunities in the past.
He requested that the Chinese side continue expanding and strengthening promotional activities to attract more tourists and investors, especially regarding the 14-day tourist visa exemption trial campaign.
Announced in January, the June 15 to October 15 pilot of the initiative means PRC passport holders will be allowed to stay for up to 14 days without the need to apply for a visa or pay any fees. Holders of the multi-entry visa will only be required to complete an arrival card.
According to the tourism ministry, Cambodia welcomed approximately 5.57 million international guests in 2025, including more than 1.2 million Chinese, an increase of nearly 42%, making China the second-largest source of international visitors to Cambodia. During the first four months of 2026, Cambodia welcomed more than 240,000 Chinese, ranking China as the top source market.
Thourn Sinan, president of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), told The Post that China is a major potential market. He described the new visa exemption pilot as “Cambodia’s largest tourism trial initiative in history.”
He added that the measure would have positive impacts, but noted that Cambodia must continue strengthening its promotional efforts to position itself as a safe tourism destination.
“This is a very good trial, and we expect many positive results. I believe that through this exemption, we will achieve satisfactory outcomes, but we must also work carefully and attentively,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
