As the rain clouds clear
and the green season draws to a close, Siem Reap is preparing to welcome a wave
of visitors eager to explore the city under bright skies and cooler
temperatures. Starting from November 7th to December 6th,
tourist demand is expected to rise higher than average, marking the beginning
of Cambodia’s peak travel season.
The shift comes after a
strong green season that saw solid numbers from both local and international
travelers. According to Trip.com, demand for Siem Reap is projected to rise steadily from November 7th and peak in
early December, driven by the start of the dry season, though the report
shows a short drop between Nov 9th - 16th, and
Nov 26th – 30th, the demand starts to peak in early
December.
Over the past 180 days,
domestic travelers accounted for about 45.67% of total visitors, while
international tourists made up 54.33%. Among those international
arrivals, the largest share came from mainland China (15.7%), followed
by Japan (13.5%), South Korea (6%), the United States (5.5%), Thailand
(4.75%), and Singapore (2.4%). The remaining 6.3% came from
other regions.
Interestingly, the data
also shows a strong preference for spontaneous travel. Over 54% of bookings were
made within just one day of arrival, and more than half of the visitors stayed
only one night. Another 26% stayed two nights, while over 20%
stayed three to seven nights.
This pattern suggests
that while Siem Reap continues to be a quick getaway for locals and regional
travelers, a destination that thrives on weekend visits and last-minute plans,
the city is now beginning to see more domestic tourism—a new backbone for Siem
Reap’s economy. This highlights a predictable
opportunity for business owners to tailor their marketing and promotion to
these travel groups. As the city enters its peak season, the growing mix of
domestic enthusiasm and international return marks a promising sign for Siem
Reap’s tourism revival.