Cambodia Takes Top Southeast Asian Spot in Eco-Tourism Ranking
Cambodia Takes Top Southeast Asian Spot in Eco-Tourism Ranking
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9, 2026 — Cambodia has been highlighted as the top-ranked country in Southeast Asia for eco-tourism in a ranking attributed to U.S. News & World Report, according to an infographic circulated by SEA Infographics.
The infographic places Cambodia at No. 17 globally, ahead of Laos at No. 22, Thailand at No. 33 and Malaysia at No. 42.
Other Southeast Asian countries listed include the Philippines at No. 66, Indonesia at No. 67, Myanmar at No. 74, Singapore at No. 77 and Vietnam at No. 89.
The ranking has drawn attention to Cambodia’s potential as an eco-tourism destination, supported by its diverse natural landscapes, including forests, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and protected natural areas.
Cambodia’s natural resources provide opportunities for nature-based tourism while also creating potential economic benefits for communities living in and around natural areas.
Eco-tourism is increasingly viewed as a way to combine tourism development with environmental conservation. When properly managed, community-based and nature-based tourism can generate income for local communities while encouraging the protection of forests, wildlife and other natural resources.
Cambodia has developed a range of community-based eco-tourism destinations and protected-area tourism initiatives, with the country’s natural and cultural attractions offering opportunities to diversify tourism beyond its traditional heritage destinations.
The recognition attributed to U.S. News & World Report therefore adds to the international attention surrounding Cambodia’s natural tourism potential.
However, the ranking should be read alongside the methodology and publication date of the underlying U.S. News dataset. Recent 2026 reporting on U.S. News & World Report’s eco-tourism rankings lists Cambodia at No. 6 globally, indicating that the No. 17 figure shown in the circulated infographic may relate to a different edition, dataset or ranking presentation.
Regardless of the ranking discrepancy, Cambodia’s extensive natural resources provide a significant foundation for developing sustainable and community-based tourism, while continued conservation efforts remain essential to ensuring that tourism growth does not come at the expense of the natural environment.
