Cambodia was one of the first countries in Asia to welcome back international travelers, though its border casinos are struggling to reopen amidst staff and building maintenance issues.
The country allowed the return of international travelers by air from mid-November and reopened its borders with Thailand from May 1st, although some testing requirements remain on the Thai side. There has also been an agreement to reopen with Vietnam.
Law firm Dezan Shira & Associates says the border relaxation will be a boost to Cambodia’s tourism sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s economic growth, contributing to some 12 percent of GDP annually. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw international traveler numbers decrease by 80 percent from 6.6 million visitors to 1.3 million in 2020.
