Cambodia Named Best Eco-Tourism Destination in Southeast Asia

The Kingdom comes ahead of Laos, Thailand and Malaysia in a ranking by the American magazine U.S. News & World Report. Placed 17th worldwide, Cambodia sees its authorities welcome a distinction that highlights its network of protected areas.

Tourists try their hand at rice planting alongside a Cambodian farmer, a community-based eco-tourism experience. © AKP

Cambodia has been named the best country in Southeast Asia for eco-tourism. The ranking comes from the American magazine U.S. News & World Report and was relayed by the Ministry of Tourism. The Kingdom comes ahead of Laos, Thailand and Malaysia.

Seventeenth worldwide

Globally, Cambodia sits in 17th place. Seychelles tops the ranking, ahead of Slovenia and Croatia.

The “Kingdom of Wonder” in the spotlight

U.S. News & World Report describes Cambodia as the smallest country by land area on the Indochina peninsula. Officially the Kingdom of Cambodia and nicknamed the “Kingdom of Wonder,” it has a rich cultural history rooted in Buddhism and Hinduism.

The magazine highlights Angkor Wat, described as the largest religious monument in the world. Built in the 12th century, the temple complex spans around 400 acres, or roughly 162 hectares.

The ranking criteria

According to the publication, the best eco-tourism destinations are those that combine natural beauty with active environmental protection and rich cultural heritage.

The ranking draws on several indicators: deforestation, linguistic diversity, natural attractions, protected areas, species richness, sustainable trade and World Heritage sites.

The authorities welcome the news

On 9 September, the Ministry of Environment hailed a source of national pride. It credits the result to the country’s peace and political stability, which have supported the management of protected areas, the conservation of biodiversity and improved living conditions for local communities. The ministry links the recognition to Cambodia’s vision for 2050.

The Chiphat protected area, in Koh Kong province, is among the sites recently developed for eco-tourism.

A vast network of protected areas

Cambodia now manages 73 protected natural areas, covering more than seven million hectares, or about 41 percent of the national territory, according to Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth. The country has also stepped up its reforestation programmes, distributing at least one million saplings to residents.

A sharp downturn in tourism

The distinction comes, however, in a difficult year for Cambodian tourism. Over the first seven months of 2026, the country recorded 1.99 million international visitors, down 46 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Tourism. In the first half, arrivals fell 47.9 percent, to 1.75 million, from 3.36 million a year earlier.

Tourism Minister Huot Hak attributes the decline to negative publicity around online scam networks, friction along the border with Thailand, and higher fuel prices linked to conflicts in the Middle East. For the whole of 2026, the ministry envisages several scenarios, ranging from 4.6 to 6.3 million arrivals depending on how these tensions evolve.