PHNOM PENH: Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia has seen a surge in revenue and tourist arrivals in the first six months of 2023.

According to a statement from Angkor Enterprise, the state-owned company that manages the park, revenue from ticket sales increased by 638% to $17.8 million in the January-June period, compared to $2.42 million in the same period last year.

The number of foreign tourists visiting the park also increased significantly, by 543% to 385,769 in the first six months of this year, compared to 59,983 in the same period last year.

In June alone, Angkor Enterprise earned US$1.8 million from the sale of entrance passes to 41,012 foreign tourists. The entrance fee for a one-day visit to the park is US$37, a three-day visit costs US$62, and a week-long visit costs US$72.

Located in Siem Reap province, Angkor Archaeological Park is the most popular tourist destination in Cambodia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to some of the most impressive temples in Southeast Asia, including Angkor Wat.

The increase in revenue and tourist arrivals at Angkor Archaeological Park is a sign of the recovery of the tourism sector in Cambodia. The country welcomed 2.57 million international visitors in the first six months of this year, a 409% increase from the same period in 2022.

Tourism is one of the four pillars of the Cambodian economy, along with garment exports, agriculture, and construction, and real estate. The recovery of the tourism sector is therefore a positive development for the Cambodian economy.