Guesthouse & Hotel License in Cambodia 2026

Budget to mid-range property, typically in a converted house or purpose-built small building. Most common entry-level accommodation business for foreign investors.

Typical setup investment: USD 50,000–150,000

Independently branded, design-led property. Requires MOT classification. Popular in Siem Reap, Kampot, and Phnom Penh riverfront areas.

Typical setup investment: USD 200,000–500,000

1–5 star classification by Ministry of Tourism. Larger capital requirement. Eligible for QIP incentive if investment exceeds USD 2M.

Typical setup investment: USD 500,000+

Landscaped grounds, typically outside urban centers. Beachside resorts on Koh Rong/Sihanoukville, riverside properties in Kampot, jungle lodges in Mondulkiri.

Typical setup investment: USD 300,000+

Monthly rental accommodation. Different license structure from hotels — treated more like real estate development. Popular in Phnom Penh BKK1 area.

Typical setup investment: USD 200,000+

No specific Airbnb license in Cambodia. If operating commercially, standard guesthouse rules apply. Single unit listed on Airbnb is generally below enforcement threshold but technically requires MOT registration if recurring commercial activity.

Typical setup investment: Varies

Rent deposit (2–3 months): USD 6,000–15,000 | Fit-out & furniture: USD 30,000–60,000 | Licenses & permits: USD 3,000–5,000 | Working capital: USD 15,000–30,000

Building lease deposit: USD 30,000–80,000 | Fit-out, furniture, FF&E: USD 150,000–300,000 | Licenses, permits, legal: USD 5,000–10,000 | Working capital: USD 30,000–50,000

Land/building acquisition or long lease: USD 200,000–500,000 | Construction/fit-out: USD 500,000–1,000,000+ | Full license suite: USD 10,000–20,000 | Working capital: USD 50,000–100,000

Do I need a tourism license to operate an Airbnb in Cambodia?

Strictly speaking, if you are operating an accommodation business commercially — meaning you regularly rent out rooms or units to guests for payment — you require a Tourism Establishment License from the Ministry of Tourism regardless of which platform you list on. The MOT does not have a specific "Airbnb license" category; short-term rentals fall under the guesthouse classification. In practice, single-unit Airbnb hosts are rarely enforcement targets for the MOT. However, multi-unit short-term rental operators (3+ units, regular commercial activity) are increasingly coming under MOT scrutiny, particularly in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Getting properly licensed also enables you to list officially on Booking.com and Agoda as a legal hospitality business, which boosts booking credibility.

Can I own a hotel 100% as a foreigner in Cambodia?

Yes. Cambodia permits 100% foreign ownership of businesses, including accommodation businesses. A foreign investor can own 100% of a Cambodian Private Limited Company that in turn operates a guesthouse, hotel, or resort. The key caveat is land ownership: foreigners cannot own land in Cambodia in their own name. The solutions are: (a) lease the land under a long-term lease (up to 50 years, renewable); (b) purchase a building under strata title (available for upper floors in multi-story buildings); (c) acquire through a Cambodian-majority joint venture if you want outright land ownership in the company. The accommodation business structure itself can be 100% foreign-owned.

What star rating can my guesthouse or hotel qualify for?

Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism uses a 1–5 star classification system based on objective criteria: room size minimums (e.g., 16 sqm for a standard double in a 3-star), bathroom requirements (en-suite from 2-star), air conditioning (required from 2-star), reception hours (24-hour front desk required for 4–5 star), food and beverage offerings, and overall facility quality. Most converted-house guesthouses under 30 rooms qualify as 1–2 star or remain unclassified. Well-designed boutique hotels with strong fit-out can achieve 3-star. For 4–5 star, you generally need 61+ rooms with full-service amenities including restaurant, swimming pool, and room service. The star assessment is carried out by MOT inspectors as part of the TEL application process.

How do I get listed on Booking.com and Agoda?

Listing on Booking.com and Agoda does not legally require a Tourism Establishment License — the platforms do not verify licenses at registration. However, having a TEL and company registration makes you a verified hospitality business, which qualifies for certain Booking.com programs and increases guest trust. To list: go to the Booking.com Partner Hub (partner.booking.com) or Agoda YCS (ycs.agoda.com), create a property listing, upload photos and set rates. Commission is typically 15–18% on Booking.com and 12–18% on Agoda. Most successful properties in Cambodia use a channel manager (tools like Cloudbeds, Little Hotelier, or SiteMinder) to manage rates across OTAs and prevent double bookings.

What is the minimum room size for a guesthouse?

The Ministry of Tourism does not publish a strict minimum room size for unclassified guesthouses — the TEL inspection focuses on overall habitability, safety, and facilities rather than precise square meterage at the bottom of the market. For classification purposes: a 1-star hotel room minimum is typically 12–14 sqm, 2-star 14–16 sqm, and 3-star 16–20 sqm (minimum for a standard double). Guesthouses that don't seek star classification can be inspected with more flexibility on room size, provided rooms have adequate ventilation, natural light, fire exits, and bathroom facilities. For budgeting: rooms under 12 sqm will struggle to get classified and may be noted negatively in an MOT inspection report.