Cambodia has expanded Muslim-friendly tourism and promoted its Cham Muslim heritage as the government seeks new markets after international visitor arrivals nearly halved in the first six months of 2026.
Visitor arrivals fell 47.9% to 1.75 million from 3.36 million during the same period in 2025, while international tourism revenue dropped 31.5% to $1.4 billion, AsiaNews reported.
The decline was largely attributed to the closure of the land border with Thailand, military clashes between the two countries, and scandals involving cyber fraud.
The government has stepped up efforts to attract Muslim travelers under its 2023-2027 master plan for Muslim tourism.
Prayer rooms have been established at Cambodia’s two main international airports and in public buildings. Some hotels provide prayer mats and indicate the direction of Mecca, while more restaurants offer halal food and alcohol-free areas.
“Looking back over the last three years, you can see a real change on the ground,” Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, told AsiaNews.
“It is no longer just a niche concept, given that local businesses,” she said, “are actually adapting.”
Muslim tourist arrivals rose from 180,000 in 2022 to 440,000 in 2024.
Muslims make up about 2% of Cambodia’s population of 17.5 million. Most belong to the Cham ethnic group.
“Abroad, there is still a widespread perception that Cambodia is a purely Buddhist destination, so much of the work,” Sivlin said, “simply involves raising public awareness of our local Cham heritage and the nearly 1,000 active mosques across the country.”
Tourism Minister Huot Hak said the campaign also promotes religious inclusivity.
“Muslim tourism is not only a potential market, but also an opportunity to demonstrate that Cambodia is a safe, welcoming, reliable and hospitable tourist destination for visitors of all nationalities and religions,” he said.
