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The decline in international tourist arrivals over the past six months has created challenges for business owners and vendors in Siem Reap province. On some days, earnings barely cover expenses.
Recently, Angkor Enterprise reported that during the first seven months of 2026, the number of foreign visitors to the Angkor area decreased by 30.79%.
Amid this, domestic tourism has taken on an important stance in the sustenance of business for vendors and other business operators in the Angkor area, albeit at a low level. They say this is better than closing the business and taking up new jobs outside their areas of expertise, which would make things even more difficult.
Sok Hay, a vendor in the Angkor area since 1993, told CamboJA News that sales dropped to zero during the COVID-19 pandemic. When clashes erupted along the Cambodia-Thailand border on July 24, 2025, local businesses faced a new crisis. In the first seven months of 2026, the situation remained difficult due to the low number of tourists, although businesses continued to operate.
Sok Hay, who sells souvenirs and beverages, said his business now relies heavily on domestic tourists, who visit in steady numbers. However, he does have some foreign tourists who visit occasionally, particularly over the past three weeks.
“We can still make some money selling goods at Angkor Wat, but there are not many people walking around the other temples. Local tourists still come in large numbers during festivals and on weekends but not many foreign tourists because this is the green season.”
He observed a recent increase in domestic tourists from provinces such as Pursat, Prey Veng, Kampong Chhnang, and Banteay Meanchey. Conversely, the number of visitors from Phnom Penh, who used to arrive in large groups, has decreased.
“During the Angkor Sankranta festival, before the war, we saw many people from Phnom Penh coming. But after the war, more people from the provinces started visiting, especially those from the border provinces. They may have grown tired of the war and come here to relax or see the economic situation. Some also come to pray and seek peace because Angkor Wat is a major religious temple. So, regardless of the situation, they still think of coming here.”
Hay explained that in the past seven months, income from selling souvenirs and beverages in Angkor varied. Some months left him with extra money, while in months with fewer tourists, expenses eliminated any profit. Overall, he estimated $400 to $500 income left per month, which was just enough to cover costs.
“We only make enough to pay for our children’s education, as well as water and electricity bills,” he said. “As businesspeople, we’re unsure of what else to do. I’ve been selling goods in this area for almost 32 years. My family has been engaged in this since the UNTAC [UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia] era. Therefore, all we can do is focus on improving our services to keep our business going.”
Domestic tourists buy less
Meanwhile, Pech Marady, owner of Varman Angkor Guest House, mentioned that the number of foreign visitors dropped sharply, possibly 60%, over the past year.
She alluded this to the border war and reports of online scams, such as kidnappings and other crimes, which heightened fears among tourists making them hesitate to visit Cambodia.
The 32-year-old said although the government has introduced measures to crack down on online scams and other crimes, foreigners might still be afraid to visit. As a result, tourism-dependent businesses have faced difficulties, with hotels, guesthouses and shops closing down or changing ownership, no longer able to operate.
However, Marady said her guesthouse now focused on domestic tourists and that she has a good relationship with tour operators and drivers who bring guests to stay at the guesthouse. The price is $15 for a two-bed room and $13 for a one-bed room, both with air conditioning, she said. The guesthouse also allows several people to stay in a single room.
“Before the war, we made a good profit each month. Since the war, we’ve only been earning enough to get by. Even that is something to be grateful for, because if you look around the province, most businesses have for sale or rent signs up, with ownership changing hands again and again.”
“Being able to remain in business to this extent, I think, is already amazing. We still have continuous guests. These days, if we focus only on foreign guests, we won’t be able to survive. We would definitely have to close.”
Marady said that July, August, and September see the lowest number of tourists and pose the greatest challenges for income because of the rainy season. But, she anticipates more tourists visiting the Angkor area after September.
In a press release dated August 1, Angkor Enterprise reported that Cambodia generated over $20 million from ticket sales to international visitors at Angkor Archaeological Park during the first seven months of 2026, down 29.03% from the same period in 2025. During this period, the site received 428,223 foreign tourists, a decrease of 30.79%.
Vendors selling food, beverages, snacks, clothing, and souvenirs in front of Angkor Wat, organized by provincial authorities, are also experiencing tough conditions. Many are struggling, and some have even failed to cover their costs. However, food vendors fared somewhat better, particularly on weekends, thanks to domestic tourists.
Toeum Tola has been selling souvenirs in the Angkor area since she was a child. For almost six years, she has run a small shop selling clothing and souvenirs. She said that her business was better before the border conflicts. However, she said her sales have dropped considerably due to the war and a decline in foreign tourists during the first seven months of 2026.
The 26-year-old, who has been married for two years, said, “Before the war, my sales were very good. On some days, I could make a profit of $30 or more. But now I only make 20,000 to 30,000 riel. There are also days when I make no sales at all, especially Monday to Friday. I only do well on Saturday and Sunday, and it is mainly Cambodians who buy from me. Foreigners come occasionally, and it is difficult to persuade them to come inside and buy.”
Regarding her monthly income before the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, Tola said she could earn between $700 and $1,000. However, during the first half of 2026, her earnings were only about $200 to $300, and sometimes even less, because her main customers are foreign tourists.
She mentioned that foreign customers often purchase multiple clothing sets at once, whereas Cambodian buyers typically buy less due to the availability of similar clothing in Cambodia. However, Tola remains optimistic. She expects the number of foreign tourists to rise again in October, especially towards the end of the year when more visitors from Europe arrive, “provided Cambodia maintains lasting peace”.
‘If everyday was like today’
Thy Kolin, a coffee vendor outside the Angkor area, said business has been quiet, especially Monday to Friday. She can sell only about 100,000 riel of goods per day because there are not many foreign tourists. On Saturdays and Sundays, business is somewhat better, with daily sales of between 200,000 and 300,000 riel, although this figure does not include expenses.
“It has been rather quiet lately, and every month it seems like there is nothing left. We sell, then buy supplies and spend the money again.”
Despite this, Kolin has no plans to change her job. “I can keep moving forward because I have my own place and don’t have to rent. Even though business has been difficult over the past few months, I can still keep going. I can make a little money left over for family expenses. If tourism increases again in the future, I’ll be happy.”
In contrast, a husband and wife selling food at stalls across the road from Tola’s clothing shop were seen busy grilling meat, and preparing rice and dipping sauces for customers. During the 2026 Angkor Empire Marathon on August 2, many visitors came to their food stall.
Phun Serey explained she has been selling in the Angkor area for over 30 years, but it was only about six years ago that she started a food business at the Angkor Archaeological Park, which is managed by the provincial authorities. She noted that the first half of 2026 was quite slow, but in the last month or so, she observed a significant rise in visitors, including groups of foreign tourists.
“I prepared about four times more food than usual because of the marathon today, which brought many tourists and runners. I sold a lot and couldn’t keep up,” Serey said with a grin.
Her husband, who was grilling chicken and fish for waiting customers, echoed his wife, “If we sold as much as we did today every day, I wouldn’t know what to do with all the money! But it isn’t like that. Normally, we only have reasonably good sales on Saturdays and Sundays, and even then they aren’t as strong as today.”
The couple said they understand that the current business situation does not offer the same income opportunities as before the war. However, they both said they feel pleased when events like the marathon are held there, as the many participants help vendors and local businesses earn money to support their families.
Chinese tourism to see growth soon
The 11th Angkor Empire Marathon took place in front of Angkor Wat and drew 6,500 runners, a 25% increase from 2025. Of these, 5,450 were Cambodian athletes and 1,050 were international participants from 51 countries. China had the most runners, totaling 201, followed by Japan and the United Kingdom, both with 100.
Vath Chamroeun, Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and chair of the 11th Angkor Empire Marathon organising committee, stated that the participants contributed to Siem Reap’s economy, each spending at least $50.
“During the marathon, about half a million dollars was injected into the economy, supporting hotel and guesthouse owners, vendors, tour operators, and other small businesses in Siem Reap.”
Chamroeun said the number of foreign athletes is expected to increase next year, particularly from China, because there will be one daily flight from Yunnan to Siem Reap starting at the end of this year.
“If nothing happens, next year we are preparing to work with the Chinese ambassador, Wang Wenbin, who will help promote the event, with the goal of reaching 10,000 participants at next year’s Angkor Empire International Marathon. At this stage, we have to work together to attract more tourists. We will make every effort to support tourism and our overall economic activity.”
Tourism Minister Huot Hak also participated in the marathon where he lauded the event’s success and expressed optimism of drawing more participants, especially international visitors. He said the event aimed to boost Cambodia’s tourism industry and support local businesses in Siem Reap, such as hotels, guesthouses, vendors, and tour operators, by increasing their revenue.
“Cambodia’s tourism sector is facing a significant decline in international tourist arrivals during the first half of 2026.”
He acknowledged that the decline was influenced by challenges, including negative news, online scams, Cambodia-Thailand border issues, and tensions and war in the Middle East, which have pushed up fuel prices and affected international travel.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia has introduced intervention measures to support the private sector. The partnership between the public and private sectors is an essential force for turning challenges into opportunities and promoting the recovery of the tourism sector.”
