Cambodia's renowned Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed 699,850 international visitors in the first nine months of this year. This marks a 29.7% increase from the 539,561 recorded over the same period in 2023, according to a report by Xinhua News.

The park, which houses some of Cambodia’s most famous ancient temples, generated $32.5mn in revenue from ticket sales between January and September, up 30% from roughly $25mn during the same period last year, a statement from state-owned Angkor Enterprise revealed. The United States, Britain, France, South Korea, and China were the top five source markets for tourists, the report said.

In September alone, Angkor attracted 47,993 foreign visitors, bringing in $2.18mn in revenue, a 16.9% rise in tourist numbers, and a 17.4% increase in revenue compared to the same month last year, according to the statement.

Located in the northwestern province of Siem Reap, the 401-square-kilometre Angkor Archaeological Park is home to 91 ancient temples built between the 9th and 13th centuries. Many remain mysterious in that their exact origins are still being uncovered.

It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and remains Cambodia's most popular tourist destination. Top Sopheak, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism, attributed the increase in visitors to the opening of the Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, which began commercial operations in November last year.

The influx of foreign tourists is seen as a positive sign for Cambodia’s tourism sector, which has been gradually recovering following the global pandemic, but with the help of significant local effort is now starting to pay off.