Beyond Seoul: Cambodian Travelers Discover More of South Korea

Growing demand for corporate trips, medical tourism and regional destinations
KTO expands partnerships with Cambodia’s travel industry

Q. What is the role of KTO’s Hanoi Office in Cambodia?

Established in 2011, the Korea Tourism Organization’s Hanoi Office promotes Korean tourism in Vietnam and Cambodia. We work with local travel agencies, airlines and tourism associations to attract more visitors to Korea.

In Cambodia, we organize an annual Korea Tourism Seminar and collaborate with the Korean Embassy and other partners on cultural events and tourism promotions.

Q. How are Cambodian travelers’ preferences changing?

Around 56,000 Cambodians visited Korea last year. K-pop and K-dramas remain major attractions, but interest in Korean food, shopping and beauty experiences is also growing.

Korea’s four seasons are particularly appealing to Cambodian travelers. Cherry blossoms, autumn foliage and winter snow offer experiences they cannot find at home.

Most visitors choose four-night, five-day trips covering Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Myeongdong, Nami Island and Everland.
Recently, Busan has gained popularity among younger Cambodians through social media, thanks to its combination of city life and coastal scenery.

Q. What emerging tourism opportunities do you see in Cambodia?

Travel preferences are shifting toward more personalized experiences, including food, beauty, shopping and wellness.

Corporate incentive travel is a promising segment, with companies choosing Korea for employee rewards and training programs. KTO supports eligible groups with tourism activities and visits to major attractions.

Medical tourism is also attracting interest, particularly for health screenings, cosmetic procedures and specialized treatments.

Beyond Seoul, we recommend Busan’s coastal attractions, Gangwon’s natural scenery and Jeonju’s traditional culture. Korea’s convenient transportation makes multi-city trips easy.

Q. How is travel to Korea becoming more accessible for Cambodians?

Visa requirements remain an important consideration. Since April, eligibility for 10-year multiple-entry visas has expanded to certain business travelers, making frequent visits more convenient.

KTO is also working with local agencies to provide reliable travel information and develop products tailored to Cambodian travelers, including family holidays, educational tours and corporate trips.

Q. What were the highlights of this year’s seminar, and what’s next?

The seminar introduced Korea’s tourism destinations and KTO’s support programs for MICE, corporate incentive travel and educational tours.

Educational tourism offers particular potential, combining Korea’s strong educational infrastructure with cultural and hands-on experiences.

We hope this event encourages Cambodian travel agencies to develop new Korea tour packages. We’ll continue strengthening partnerships with local tourism associations, airlines and travel agencies to expand tourism exchanges between our countries.