PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has reported a remarkable rise in the number of Chinese tourists to its famed Angkor Archaeological Park in the first five months of 2025, said an official report on Tuesday (June 3).
A total of 43,193 Chinese visitors visited Angkor during the January-May period, up 30 per cent from 33,292 over the same period last year, said the state-owned Angkor Enterprise's report.
China was the fourth largest source of international tourist arrivals to Angkor after the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, it added.
According to the report, a total of 527,577 foreigners from 171 countries and regions toured the ancient park in the first five months of this year, generating a gross revenue of US$24.5 million from ticket sales.
Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said that, with 2025 being designated as the Cambodia-China Tourism Year, a significant surge in Chinese tourist arrivals to the Angkor Archaeological Park is predicted.
"This increase will likely be driven by enhanced bilateral cooperation, promotional campaigns, and greater accessibility through direct flights and group tour packages," he told Xinhua.
Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, said Chinese tourists have played a crucial role in Cambodia's tourism industry.
"The Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 marks a significant step forward in revitalizing bilateral tourism and people-to-people exchanges," he told Xinhua.
Located in northwest Siem Reap province, the 401-sq-km Angkor Archaeological Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in 1992, is the most popular tourist destination in the kingdom.
The world heritage site is home to 91 ancient temples, which had been built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.- Xinhua
