Phnom Penh, Jan 1 (NationPress) The renowned Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia attracted a total of 955,131 international tourists in 2025, reflecting a 6.7 percent decline compared to the previous year, according to a statement released by the site's management on Thursday.

This UNESCO World Heritage site generated 44.7 million US dollars in ticket revenue last year, marking a 6.5 percent decrease as reported by the state-owned Angkor Enterprise.

The primary sources of foreign visitors included the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, and South Korea.

In December 2025, the park welcomed 87,936 foreign tourists, generating 4.23 million US dollars, a drop of 30 percent in visitors and 28.5 percent in revenue compared to December 2024, as stated in the press release.

Situated in northwest Siem Reap province, the park boasts 91 ancient temples, constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries.

Thong Mengdavid, Deputy Director at the China-ASEAN Studies Centre of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech) in Phnom Penh, mentioned that the Cambodian government's new visa-free policy for Chinese nationals, effective from June 15 to October 15, 2026, could serve as a significant long-term boost for tourism, reducing travel barriers and attracting more first-time and returning visitors.

"If Cambodia couples this policy with targeted marketing strategies, improved digital services, and enhanced tourism infrastructure, we could see an increase in Chinese visitors to the Angkor Archaeological Park that surpasses pre-pandemic levels, solidifying its status as one of Asia's prime cultural landmarks," he remarked in an interview with Xinhua news agency.

India has played a pioneering role in supporting the restoration of the ancient temple at Angkor Wat, the largest ancient temple complex in the world, symbolizing the shared cultural heritage between India and Cambodia.

India has a longstanding commitment to temple restoration projects in Cambodia, beginning with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertaking restoration at Angkor Wat from 1986 to 1993.

The initial restoration effort was initiated by India in response to a request from the Cambodian government in 1980, a gesture that remains appreciated by both the Cambodian leadership and its citizens.

Furthermore, at Cambodia's request, India has also undertaken the restoration of the Ta Prohm temple within the Angkor Archaeological Park since 2003.