PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's renowned Angkor Archaeological Park is poised for a recovery in international tourist arrivals following government-led efforts to eradicate online scam networks, a scholar said on Sunday (Oct 11).
The Unesco World Heritage site recorded 510,528 foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026, marking a 27.6 per cent decline year-on-year, according to a report by the state-owned Angkor Enterprise.
This slump dragged down ticket sales revenue to US$24.23 million during the January-September period, representing a 25.9 per cent drop compared to the same period in 2025.
Currently, the United States, the United Kingdom and China remain the largest sources of international visitors to the ancient park.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-Asean Studies Center at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, expressed optimism that international visitor numbers - including Chinese arrivals - will rebound in the coming years.
He noted that the kingdom continues to spare no effort to dismantle online scams to restore its international reputation and regain the confidence of global travelers.
"The steady recovery will be heavily driven by enhanced bilateral cooperation, expanding direct flight routes, and targeted promotional campaigns," he predicted.
"As we lower travel barriers and actively address safety concerns, Angkor's deep cultural and spiritual appeal will undoubtedly continue to draw back both first-time and repeat global travelers," Mengdavid said.
Located in the north-western Siem Reap province, the 401-square-kilometre Angkor Archaeological Park is Cambodia's premier tourist destination, encompassing 91 ancient temples built between the 9th and 13th centuries.
Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak recently attributed the downturn in international tourist arrivals to negative publicity, online scam concerns, border friction and conflicts in the Middle East that have raised fuel costs and dampened global travel enthusiasm. - Xinhua
