The ongoing border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand have weighed heavily on Cambodia's tourism industry, a key pillar of the country's economy, as visitor numbers drop steeply.
Since the border clashes spilled over to the province of Siem Reap in Cambodia, once-busy streets in local main tourist destination Siem Reap have seen much fewer tour buses, with local hotels and restaurants suffering significantly dropped customer arrivals.
"Since the border clashes started, tourism in Siem Reap has been badly affected. Visitors from Europe and Asia have been continuously canceling their bookings," said Khiev Roth, a hotel manager in the city.
On a popular pub street, bar and restaurant staff said business has slumped after a brief recovery in November and early December.
"The border clashes have a big impact on tourist numbers. Recently very few customers came in. Fewer people come to the pub street in Siem Reap, and our massage shop's income has been roughly cut by half," said Srey Nich, who works at a massage shop.
"During the conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand, we saw a decline in tourist numbers too," said Sean Kolab, a restaurant manager.
At the ticket office of Cambodia's best-known heritage site Angkor Wat, peak-hour crowds have thinned, with only small groups of visitors in sight.
"In short, it is very quiet. It is supposed to be the peak season for tourism, but tourist arrivals have decreased and many visitors have canceled their bookings. It is much quieter than before," said Channy, a local guide.
Revenue from ticket sales and related industries is vital for the maintenance of Angkor Wat. Industry workers warn that prolonged conflict could deliver a double blow of reduced income and fewer resources for preservation.
The new round of Cambodia-Thailand border conflict erupted on Dec 7, with both sides accusing the other of initiating the attack.
Cambodia's tourism takes hit as border clashes with Thailand drag on
Cambodia's tourism takes hit as border clashes with Thailand drag on
China has overtaken North America to become the world's top-grossing film market so far in 2026, with box office revenue reaching 7 billion yuan (about 970 million U.S. dollars) as of Saturday, slightly above North America's 938 million U.S. dollars, according to online ticketing platforms.
The country's strong box office performance has largely been driven by its ongoing Spring Festival holiday, which began on Feb 15. So far, China's holiday ticketing revenue has exceeded 4.4 billion yuan, contributing over half of its total earnings this year.
During the nine-day holiday, a wide range of blockbuster films across different genres and themes premiered in theaters across China, providing the perfect backdrop for family reunions and festive fun.
Topping the Spring Festival sales chart was "Pegasus 3," the third installment in director Han Han's racing-comedy franchise starring Shen Teng, one of China's most bankable comedic actors. The film has amassed more than two billion yuan since its debut.
The first two films in the series were released during the 2019 and 2024 Spring Festival seasons, grossing a combined 5 billion yuan.
Spy thriller "Scare Out," directed by Zhang Yimou, ranked second on the chart with 701 million yuan in box office revenue. It was followed by the martial arts action film "Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert," which grossed 577 million yuan.
In east China's Jiangsu Province, holidaymakers said watching movies has become a popular way to enjoy family gatherings and social interactions during the Spring Festival.
"The Spring Festival is a bond that brings the whole family together. Taking advantage of this occasion, our family gets together to watch a movie, enjoying a warm and happy time," said Jiang Hong, a moviegoer.
"The cinemas are packed. Sitting in the screening room, surrounded by laughter, the atmosphere of everyone celebrating the festival together is truly wonderful. Plus, going to the movies is an activity that the whole family can do together. I think this is the essence of the Chinese New Year," said Ms. Ying, a local resident.
"When watching a movie, we all get together and immerse ourselves in a shared virtual world. Although we don't communicate during the film, we can always exchange our thoughts afterwards. It is a great choice [for festive celebration]," said Luo Pingchuan, another moviegoer.
China becomes global box office champion so far in 2026
