Cambodian Tourist Arrivals in Thailand Plummet Amid Border Closures

Strategic Insights -

Cambodian tourist arrivals in Thailand have plunged by 48% this month due to border closures, dealing a significant blow to a market that has slowed since last year. According to Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the number of Cambodian tourists visiting Thailand has declined steadily, with a 14% year-on-year drop in the first five months of this year. The border closures have exacerbated the decline, with the largest dip of 81% occurring on June 14. Despite a strong load factor on flights from Bangkok to Cambodia reported by Thai AirAsia, the airline's outbound flights from Bangkok have posted a healthy load factor of 90-100% since the border closed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cambodian tourist arrivals in Thailand have plummeted by 48% this month due to border closures, with a total of 14,758 arrivals in June, down from 28,133 in May.
  • The decline in numbers before the border clash was largely attributed to the sluggish Cambodian economy, which led many Cambodians to shift their preferred tourism destination from Thailand to Vietnam.
  • The TAT reported that the overall tourism outlook in Thailand has not been affected by the border disputes, but domestic offices in nearby provinces continue to monitor the situation.
  • Hotels in Sa Kaeo reported a ripple effect as guests who typically stay overnight in the province before entering Cambodia could not travel via the Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint.
  • Thai AirAsia reported a strong load factor on flights from Bangkok to Cambodia, but its outbound flights from Bangkok have posted a healthy load factor of 90-100% since the border closed.
  • The TAT office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, temporarily postponed planned joint marketing campaigns with airlines and the Thai embassy running from June to August.

Statistics:

  • Cambodian tourist arrivals in Thailand have declined 48% this month, with a total of 14,758 arrivals in June.
  • Daily arrivals averaged 1,200 in the first five months of this year, down from 1,500 last year.
  • Last year, Cambodian arrivals totalled 553,060, decreasing 5% from 2023.
  • 48% of Cambodian tourists travelled by air in June, while 51.9% arrived via land borders.
  • The Thai AirAsia routes from Bangkok to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap recorded an average load factor of 70% this month.

Sources:

  • Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
  • Thai AirAsia