Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia’s world-renowned Angkor Archaeological Park received 955,131 international tourists in 2025, marking a 6.7 percent decrease compared to the previous year, according to data released Thursday by Angkor Enterprise, the state-owned operator of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Revenue Dips Alongside Visitor Numbers
The iconic temple complex generated $44.7 million in ticket revenue during 2025, representing a 6.5 percent decline from 2024 figures. The revenue decrease closely mirrors the drop in visitor arrivals, indicating consistent per-visitor spending patterns despite lower overall tourist numbers.
Located in northwest Siem Reap province, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses 91 ancient temples constructed between the ninth and 13th centuries, with Angkor Wat serving as the centerpiece of the sprawling historical site.
December Shows Steeper Decline
The year-end period reflected more pronounced challenges for the tourism sector. In December 2025 alone, the park welcomed 87,936 foreign tourists and generated $4.23 million in revenue, representing decreases of 30 percent and 28.5 percent respectively compared to December 2024.
The sharp December decline suggests potential seasonal factors or broader tourism market dynamics affecting Cambodia’s flagship heritage destination during traditionally strong travel periods.
Top Source Markets Remain Stable
Despite the overall decline in visitor numbers, the composition of international tourists remained relatively consistent. The United States, Britain, France, China, and South Korea continued to serve as the primary source markets for the Angkor Archaeological Park, maintaining their positions as key contributors to Cambodia’s heritage tourism sector.
These five countries have historically represented a significant portion of international arrivals to Angkor, reflecting established travel patterns, cultural interest in Southeast Asian heritage, and longstanding tourism promotion efforts in these markets.
China Visa-Free Policy Expected to Boost Future Arrivals
Tourism experts anticipate a rebound in visitor numbers following Cambodia’s implementation of a pilot visa-free policy for Chinese citizens. The policy, running from June 15 to October 15, 2026, is viewed as a strategic catalyst for tourism growth.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director at the China-ASEAN Studies Center of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech) in Phnom Penh, emphasized the policy’s potential long-term benefits for Cambodia’s tourism industry.
“The Cambodian government’s new pilot visa-free policy for Chinese citizens is likely to be a long-term catalyst for Cambodia’s tourism growth, lowering travel barriers and encouraging more first-time and repeat visitors,” Mengdavid stated.
Infrastructure and Digital Services Key to Maximizing Policy Impact
Mengdavid noted that maximizing the visa-free policy’s effectiveness requires complementary investments in tourism infrastructure and services. Strategic improvements in digital services, targeted promotional campaigns, and enhanced visitor facilities could amplify the policy’s impact on Chinese tourist arrivals.
“If Cambodia pairs this policy with targeted promotions, smoother digital services, and stronger tourism infrastructure, Chinese arrivals to the Angkor Archaeological Park could surpass pre-pandemic momentum in the coming years and reinforce the site’s position as one of Asia’s most iconic cultural destinations,” he added.
Understanding the 2025 Decline
While specific factors contributing to the 6.7 percent decline were not detailed in the official announcement, tourism industry observers point to several potential influences:
Global Economic Factors: Fluctuating economic conditions in key source markets may have affected discretionary travel spending during 2025.
Regional Competition: Intensifying competition from other Southeast Asian heritage destinations as countries across the region enhance tourism offerings and accessibility.
Travel Pattern Changes: Evolving tourist preferences and travel patterns following the post-pandemic period, with some travelers exploring alternative destinations or delaying international trips.
Seasonal Variations: Weather patterns, holiday calendars, and seasonal factors affecting travel decisions to Cambodia during specific periods of 2025.
Angkor’s Enduring Global Appeal
Despite the year-over-year decline, the Angkor Archaeological Park continues to rank among Asia’s most visited cultural heritage sites, attracting nearly one million international visitors annually. The UNESCO-listed complex remains Cambodia’s premier tourism destination and a significant contributor to the national economy.
The site’s global recognition, architectural magnificence, and historical significance ensure sustained international interest, even as visitor numbers fluctuate based on economic conditions, travel trends, and policy factors.
Cambodia’s Tourism Recovery Strategy
The visa-free policy for Chinese citizens represents one component of Cambodia’s broader strategy to revitalize tourism and achieve pre-pandemic visitor levels. The government has prioritized tourism development as a key pillar of economic growth, recognizing the sector’s substantial contribution to employment, foreign exchange earnings, and regional development.
Additional measures under consideration or implementation include enhanced air connectivity, infrastructure improvements in tourist areas, digital tourism promotion initiatives, and strengthened partnerships with international travel agencies and online booking platforms.
Siem Reap’s Economic Dependence on Tourism
For Siem Reap province, tourism represents the economic backbone, with the Angkor Archaeological Park serving as the primary driver of employment, business activity, and development. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transportation services, handicraft producers, and countless other businesses depend directly or indirectly on visitor arrivals to the ancient temple complex.
Fluctuations in tourist numbers therefore have immediate and widespread economic implications for local communities, underscoring the importance of maintaining stable and growing visitor arrivals to support livelihoods across the province.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Projections
Tourism industry stakeholders express cautious optimism for 2026, anticipating that the China visa-free pilot program, combined with improved regional air connectivity and targeted marketing campaigns, will drive visitor growth.
The success of recent infrastructure developments, including the opening of Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and ongoing improvements to tourist facilities around the park, positions Cambodia favorably for tourism recovery and growth in the coming years.
Industry observers will closely monitor first-quarter 2026 figures and the impact of the June-October visa-free period to assess Cambodia’s progress in rebuilding international arrivals to Angkor and achieving sustainable tourism sector growth.
About Angkor Archaeological Park: The Angkor Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. Home to 91 ancient temples built between the ninth and 13th centuries, the park attracts millions of visitors annually and serves as Cambodia’s most important cultural heritage destination.
About Angkor Enterprise: Angkor Enterprise is the state-owned company responsible for managing the Angkor Archaeological Park, including ticket sales, visitor services, site maintenance, and preservation efforts.
2025 Angkor Tourism Statistics:
- Total international visitors: 955,131 (down 6.7% from 2024)
- Total ticket revenue: $44.7 million (down 6.5% from 2024)
- December visitors: 87,936 (down 30% from December 2024)
- December revenue: $4.23 million (down 28.5% from December 2024)
- Top source markets: USA, Britain, France, China, South Korea
Source: This article is based on information from Xinhua News Agency. For the original report, visit: Xinhua News