Cambodia Moves to Capture Growing Russian Tourism Market
Cambodia Moves to Capture Growing Russian Tourism Market
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 19, 2026 — Cambodia is stepping up efforts to attract more Russian tourists and investors, with the Ministry of Tourism launching a “Cambodia Tourism Roadmap to the Russian Market” aimed at expanding arrivals from Russia in late 2026 and throughout 2027.
Tourism Minister Huot Hak said Cambodia is ready to tap the potential of the Russian market and promote the Kingdom more aggressively as an attractive tourism destination while creating new opportunities for trade, investment and private-sector partnerships.
Speaking at the launch of the roadmap on September 18, Huot Hak described Russia as a priority tourism market that Cambodia needs to focus on more closely and convert its potential into actual tourist flows.
He said the roadmap represents a move from government policy direction to concrete action, supporting Cambodia’s efforts to expand and diversify its international tourism markets and make the sector more resilient and competitive.
The initiative is designed to promote Cambodia as an attractive destination for Russian travellers while strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors and creating new opportunities for business and investment.
Cambodia Seeks Stronger Russian Tourist Flows
Huot Hak said the Russian market offers significant potential for Cambodia, particularly given the Kingdom’s cultural, historical, natural and coastal tourism products.
The roadmap is expected to support closer cooperation among tourism operators, travel companies and other private-sector stakeholders to develop products and promotional activities suited to Russian travellers.
Cambodia has already begun engaging Russian tour operators. In June, a delegation of Russian tourism companies visited Siem Reap on a familiarisation trip to assess Cambodia’s tourism products and explore opportunities to attract higher-spending Russian visitors.
The government has also been exploring ways to improve air connectivity between the two countries, with direct Cambodia-Russia flights identified as an important factor in expanding tourism and investment flows.
Tourism and Investment Opportunities
Beyond attracting holidaymakers, Cambodia is seeking to use the Russian tourism market as a platform for broader economic cooperation.
The roadmap is intended to strengthen private-sector partnerships and create opportunities for Russian businesses and investors in tourism and related sectors.
The initiative also comes as Cambodia and Russia mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, with bilateral cooperation continuing to expand across tourism, trade, investment, education, energy and other areas.
Russian Ambassador to Cambodia Anatoly Borovik has previously highlighted tourism as an area with significant potential for closer bilateral cooperation. Recent discussions between the two countries have also identified connectivity and tourism as areas for further development.
According to recent reporting on the roadmap launch, around 30,000 Russian tourists visited Cambodia during the first eight months of 2026, compared with roughly 120,000 the previous year, underscoring both the existing market and the potential for further growth.
Huot Hak said Cambodia’s objective is to turn that potential into sustainable tourist flows while deepening people-to-people ties and strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Russia.
