Cambodia’s Tourism Faces Setback as 16th H5N1 Victim Emerges, Impacting Regional Airlines and Hospitality Sectors

Cambodia’s tourism industry is facing an unexpected challenge as the country grapples with the impact of H5N1 bird flu, with the confirmation of a 16th victim—a young girl from Kampong Speu province. This recent development has raised alarms, as Cambodia was previously on a steady growth trajectory, welcoming millions of international tourists in 2024. As the number of cases grows, regional airlines and the hospitality sector are feeling the effects, with some travelers reconsidering their plans to visit. Airlines like AirAsia Cambodia and Vietnam Airlinesalongside major hospitality chains, are closely monitoring the situation, adjusting their operations to ensure safety and maintain traveler confidence. With health advisories in place, travelers are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions, but Cambodia remains a resilient destination, committed to overcoming these challenges and ensuring the well-being of both residents and visitors.

Tourism and Aviation Face Fallout in Cambodia Due to H5N1 Outbreak

Adverse developments in Cambodia’s tourism could be attributed to its once flourishing reputation in tourism in the region. Confirmed as the latest victim of H5N1, an H5N1 case involving a 3-year-old girl of Kampong Speu province, tourism, airline, and hospitality sectors across the country cannot help feeling the repercussions. Although the government and health officials have acknowledged the need to proactively contain frequent international travel, the risk to international tourists and travelers is undeniable and cannot to be perceived as a low priority. This is the first of the H5N1 articles and will explain to potential travelers the repercussions on the H5N1 tourism system in Cambodia, mainly the airlines and hospitality fitted to moving people to the kingdom.

H5N1 Outbreak: A Major Blow to Cambodia’s Tourism Industry

Although the H5N1 bird flu virus is not new to Cambodia, the latest wave, which began in 2025, has caused is alarming. Recently a young child from a rural village was the 16th case in a series of unfortunate incidents that has shaken both the local and global communities. Health officials report that the virus was probably contracted from household infected poultry and while the virus is not considered easily transmissible between humans, the number of human cases has caused international alarm.

This resurgence in H5N1 activity is coinciding with the Cambodian tourism 2024 successes. In that year, Cambodia received over 6.7 million international tourists, 23% higher than the previous year. While the Angkor Wat temple complex and the rest of Cambodia’s rich culture remain a primacy drivers of visits, the country’s coast and urban life are also bustling. In the wake of recent events, travelers and local travelers alike have reconsidered plans that involve Cambodia.

Effect on Airlines

The emergence of H5N1 in Cambodia raises worries regarding the safety of air travel to the region—however, there are no widespread flight cancellations or disruptions; there are airlines that have modified their schedules or issued travel advisories. Bookings on Cambodia’s national carrier, Cambodia Airwaysas well as regional airlines AirAsia Cambodia and Vietnam Airlinesare likely to decline as potential travelers reassess the risk of an outbreak during their travel to the region.

Airlines may limit flight schedules to Cambodia, route changes, and in some cases, refund passengers in. Air Asia is facing traveler concerns, especially from high travel countries like South Korea and Thailand, which is why there have been carrier-initiated and passenger-initiated changes to travel plans to Cambodia—cancellations and reschedules. Heightened health advisories have impacted travel to Cambodia on Vietnam Airlineswhich also has a small regional presence.The Cambodian government has provided Tamiflu to individuals in close contact with the infected poultry or people. Some of the measures taken have been documented in response to the public and arriving international travelers. As always, travelers must check with the appropriate airline regarding the latest flight and travel disruption information.

The hospitality industry in Cambodia, which includes hotels, restaurants, and resorts, expects rough times ahead. The international community’s fear regarding the potential H5N1 outbreak has already started affecting travel patterns. Cities like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville have substantial international tourism. Even well established hotels like Sofitel, Marriott, and Hilton will have to manage their capacity to cope with expected cancellations and no shows. Many travelers with reservations will have to be re-routed due to the extended periods of the bird flu and risk of contraction while traveling.

In response to recent challenges, Cambodia’s hospitality sector remains positive and committed to improvement. The government continues to oversee compliance with international standards to ensure that hotels and restaurants maintain hygiene and sanitation standards. Many hotels have taken extra steps to perform sanitization and provided hand sanitizers, safe meals, and safe meals, while staff strictly adhere to guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health. Hotels and health authorities maintain hotel grounds to a clean and safe standard in order to protect guests and staff.

Weaker patronage by health-risk concerned tourists (US, South Korea, China) may negatively impact local businesses in prime tourism locations Angkor Wat, a UNESCO listed temple, and the surrounding area where most international tourist visitors come to see the temples.

Tips To Travel Safely During The Outbreak

For those considering a trip to Cambodia during the H5N1 outbreak, here are a few precautions to help minimize health risks:

• Limited Interaction with Poultry: As the source of H5N1 are infected chickens and ducks, avoid live bird markets, and do not visit poultry farms. Keep your distance from areas where poultry are sold and slaughtered, and avoid any places where poultry may be processed or sold.
• Travel Advisories: Check to see your government’s current travel advisories for any updates to the situation. There have been warnings for Cambodia and many other countries to “reconsider non-essential travel” to areas affected by avian influenza.
• Use of Sanitizers & Stay Hydrated: Due to the avian influenza, health advisories have been issued to Cambodia. The tropical climate, and virus making Cambodia good to visit during the hotter months, can be exhausting. Be sure to stay well hydrated and regularly apply hand sanitizer to avoid any viral contamination and protect yourself from the virus. Whenever possible wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
• Travel Health Considerations: It may be beneficial to visit a travel health clinic before you go. This is especially true for potential stays in rural Cambodias or animal surroundings. Confirm vaccinations and ask about antiviral treatments for bird flu-affected travel regions.

Cambodia is internationally connected and has flights for Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacificand Thai Airways. These airlines have caring policies for travelers concerning rescheduling and flexible bookings. It is also wise to check directly with the airlines to confirm their flight schedules for the routes you intend to purchase.

Airport and Flight Hygiene and Safety Measures

Travelers should have no worries about the functionality of Cambodia’s biggest airports which are Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport. These places have gained the trust of the community by replacing their tendered services with self-serve food options to limit the spread of infectious diseases. Continuous public health-sensitive cleaning has also been increased.

Cambodian carriers Cambodia Airways, Phnom Penh Airwaysand Vietnam Air have been revising their flight schedules to enhance the safety of travellers. In addition, these airlines have been revising their change policies to enable customers to change travel dates easily.

Flight Schedule Changes

• Emirates: Flights from Dubai to Phnom Penh are in operation with protective measures.
• Singapore Airlines: They are regarded as the harsh health and safety regulators and have offered flexible travel date changes to Cambodia.
• Cathay Pacific: This airline continues to Hong Kong and Phnom Penh and has hygiene control in place.
• Air Asia: As one of the most inexpensive value AirAsia has revised some of their flight packets to Cambodia to meet the challenges of the travel climate.

Cambodia’s Resilience and Recovery

No matter the challenges in the tourism sector, Cambodia’s government has shown strategic resilience in designing pragmatic recovery pathways. Part of the recovery efforts involve the launching of a public health campaign with a bird flu awareness and prevention advocacy campaign aimed at residents and visitors. Authorities are focusing on the renovation of the sanitation and safety of tourism sites in the country.

Techo International Airport is open in September 2025. This demonstrates the country’s long-term commitment to tourism development. This new airport provides a more sophisticated and secure environment for travelers, while also ensuring expanded and enhanced services. Given the groundwork for long-term development that Cambodia has initiated, there is a guarantee that the country will manage the current health crisis and continue its positive growth trend.

Cambodia’s tourism industry faces a setback as the country reports its 16th H5N1 bird flu victim, affecting regional airlines and hospitality sectors. The outbreak has prompted travelers to reconsider their plans, leading to challenges for Cambodia’s thriving tourism economy.

Final Insights

Even with the current health crisis with H5N1, the tourism sector in Cambodia is facing temporary setbacks. Cambodia’s hospitality sector, along with the country’s airlines, are making every effort to accommodate the changes. International airlines are still providing services to Cambodia and the hospitality sector, with hotels and resorts, are providing additional streamlining to support and restore confidence in health to the travelers. With the rapidly changing circumstances, travelers are best served by remaining as informed as possible, exercising proper deferring, and using reliable sources for changes in travel health regulations has had and will continue to have.

Visitors to Cambodia should strive to see the country’s wonders responsibly while following local and international health recommendations. With proper precautions in place, tourists can enjoy the kingdom’s natural beauty and rich culture. In the future, the tourism industry will recover, and Cambodia will be able to continue offering guests unrivaled travel experiences.