Cambodia: The Water Festival Keeps Its Momentum – 2.3 Million Visitors in a Challenging Context

Editorial team
10 hours ago
2 min read

In 2025, the Water Festival was canceled in the Cambodian capital. This decision was made in the context of border tensions with Thailand and a humanitarian crisis that required the government’s attention. The political choice to abandon most of the festivities in Phnom Penh aimed to concentrate resources on managing displaced populations and ensuring internal stability, at the cost of a significant tourism sacrifice.

A Decentralized, Yet Dynamic Festival

Faced with this cancellation, Cambodian provinces took on the role of main hosts for Bon Om Tuk. Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Battambang, and several other regions welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors, including a significant number of foreign tourists, reflecting not only popular attachment to this tradition but also strong tourism activity outside Phnom Penh.

Relocating the festivities greatly stimulated local economies. The influx of visitors boosted consumption in key sectors: accommodation, food services, transport, artisan markets, and cultural services. This geographic spread allowed for a better distribution of tourism revenues, helping to support local SMEs.

Tourism: A Major Lever

Tourism accounts for about 10% of Cambodia’s GDP, with remarkable growth since the end of pandemic restrictions. The first quarter of 2025 saw tourist arrivals increase by more than 16%, a sign of the country's strong recovery and renewed appeal. Cultural events like the Water Festival therefore play a crucial role in promoting Cambodia’s international tourism image.

Strategic Response to Political Crisis

The cancellation of the festival in Phnom Penh also shows the government’s ability to prioritize domestic issues when facing geopolitical challenges. The shift of festivities was accompanied by dedicated actions for humanitarian management and social stabilization, confirming the priority given to social peace and national solidarity in difficult times.

The Water Festival is much more than a simple tourist event: it symbolizes the sacred relationship between the Cambodian people and their rivers, rich in history and life. Its continuation across the provinces, despite constraints, demonstrates the strength of tradition and the adaptability of communities when facing adversity. This persistence helps strengthen social bonds and supports the intergenerational transmission of a key intangible heritage.

Perspectives

Given regional tensions, Cambodia’s tourism sector is moving toward geographic diversification and a lasting commitment to sustainable development. Increased attendance in regions less historically known for tourism presents new opportunities but also challenges in terms of infrastructure and environmental management.

The government is thus relying on innovative campaigns and international partnerships, notably with China, to ensure balanced and sustainable growth.

The 2025 edition of the Water Festival illustrates Cambodia’s remarkable ability to blend cultural heritage and economic challenges in a complex context. Despite the absence of the grand celebration in Phnom Penh, the regional federation around this tradition highlights the pivotal role of tourism in the country’s economic resilience.