Kampot, Kep, Battambang and Phnom Penh are gaining greater attention as Cambodia broadens its tourism offer beyond the traditional Angkor Wat and Siem Reap circuit. In 2026, national tourism activity is placing increased emphasis on coastal, ecological, cultural, culinary and urban experiences, encouraging travellers to explore more destinations and extend their stays. The shift comes after Cambodia recorded 5.57 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, a 16.9% decline from 2024, while tourism revenue increased 6.6% to US$3.88 billion.
Cambodia promotes green-season travel
The Ministry of Tourism has placed the “Visit Cambodia During Green Season 2026” campaign at the centre of efforts to encourage travel between May and October. The campaign promotes Cambodia’s landscapes, local communities, food, cultural experiences and nature-based attractions during the country’s rainy season.
For travellers, the green season provides an opportunity to explore destinations beyond the major Angkor circuit. Rural landscapes become particularly important during this period, while rivers, waterfalls, rice fields and forest environments form part of the wider tourism experience.
The campaign also supports the distribution of visitors across different parts of Cambodia, reducing reliance on a small number of established destinations and encouraging travel to provincial communities.
Kampot combines river, food and countryside tourism
Kampot has become one of Cambodia’s most recognisable alternatives to the Siem Reap itinerary. Located near the southern coast, the destination combines riverside tourism with countryside experiences, pepper plantations, colonial-era architecture and access to Bokor National Park.
Visitors can explore Kampot’s riverside streets, sample locally produced Kampot pepper and take excursions into the surrounding countryside. The city also provides access to nearby natural attractions, making it possible to combine food tourism with outdoor activities.
The destination works particularly well for travellers seeking a slower-paced itinerary after visiting Phnom Penh. Accommodation ranges from boutique hotels and guesthouses to riverside properties, supporting both short stays and longer regional journeys.
Kep puts coastal tourism in the spotlight
Nearby Kep provides a distinctly coastal experience. The seaside destination is associated with beaches, seafood, islands and the Kep National Park area.
Kep’s famous crab market connects food tourism directly with the coastal environment, giving visitors an opportunity to experience seafood prepared locally. Travellers can also take boat trips to nearby islands, including Rabbit Island, known locally as Koh Tonsay.
The combination of seafood, beaches and nature allows Kep to complement Kampot within a southern Cambodia itinerary. Visitors can stay in one destination and travel between the two by road, creating a multi-day coastal route.
Battambang expands Cambodia’s cultural tourism offer
Battambang provides another alternative to the country’s most heavily visited heritage sites. Cambodia’s second-largest city is known for colonial architecture, traditional arts, countryside landscapes and cultural attractions.
The city is particularly relevant to Cambodia’s growing arts and cultural tourism segment. Visitors can explore galleries, workshops and performance spaces while also travelling into the surrounding countryside.
The famous bamboo train, local food experiences and nearby temples add further activities. Battambang can be combined with Siem Reap for travellers who want to explore Cambodia’s heritage and cultural landscape without limiting the trip to Angkor Wat.
Phnom Penh connects urban and cultural tourism
Phnom Penh remains the country’s principal urban destination and an important starting point for visitors travelling through Cambodia. The capital combines the Royal Palace, museums, markets, restaurants, riverside areas and contemporary cultural venues.
The city also provides transport links to destinations across Cambodia. Travellers can use Phnom Penh as the first or final stop before continuing towards Kampot and Kep in the south or Battambang and Siem Reap in the northwest.
Food tourism is also an important part of the Phnom Penh experience, with visitors able to explore Cambodian cuisine through markets, restaurants, cafés and street-food areas.
Coastal Cambodia offers a different holiday experience
Cambodia’s coastal tourism sector extends beyond Kep. The southern coastline includes Sihanoukville and islands such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, where visitors can combine beaches, marine activities and resort stays.
The expansion of coastal tourism gives travellers more options for combining cultural sightseeing with beach holidays. A longer itinerary can begin in Phnom Penh, continue south towards Kampot and Kep, and then extend towards Cambodia’s islands.
For international visitors, these destinations provide a contrast with the temple-focused travel associated with Angkor Wat.
Culinary tourism becomes part of destination development
Food is increasingly being incorporated into Cambodia’s tourism activities. Kampot pepper, Kep seafood and regional Cambodian dishes provide examples of how local products can become part of visitor itineraries.
Recent tourism events have also focused on regional cuisine, community products and local attractions. These activities allow visitors to experience destinations through food while supporting local producers, restaurants and small businesses.
For travellers, culinary experiences can be incorporated into city tours, countryside excursions and coastal holidays rather than treated as separate activities.
Cambodia seeks longer and more distributed stays
The tourism strategy for 2026 is focused not only on attracting international visitors but also on encouraging them to spend more time exploring different parts of the country. The Ministry of Tourism has highlighted destination and seasonal diversification as a way of spreading tourism activity geographically and throughout the year.
The 2025 visitor decline makes this approach particularly relevant. Cambodia welcomed fewer international tourists, but visitor expenditure increased, producing US$3.88 billion in tourism revenue.
For travellers, the changing tourism landscape means Cambodia can be explored through several distinct routes. Phnom Penh provides urban culture, Battambang adds arts and heritage, while Kampot and Kep bring together countryside, food, beaches and coastal experiences.
A wider Cambodia itinerary takes shape
Cambodia’s tourism offer in 2026 is increasingly moving beyond a single iconic attraction. Angkor Wat and Siem Reap remain central to international travel, but destinations such as Kampot, Kep, Battambang and Phnom Penh are creating additional reasons to travel deeper into the country.
The green-season campaign, coastal development, culinary tourism and cultural programming are giving travellers more ways to experience Cambodia. A journey that once centred primarily on ancient temples can now extend from Phnom Penh’s urban streets to Battambang’s cultural scene and onward to Kampot and Kep’s rivers, countryside and coast, creating a broader travel experience across the country.
