Cambodian tourism sector hails Siem Reap’s global cultural recognition

PHNOM PENH, Jan 19, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s tourism industry has welcomed international recognition of Siem Reap as one of the world’s leading cultural destinations, saying the accolade could help attract more visitors despite recent declines in arrivals.

Tripadvisor ranked Siem Reap 13th among its 25 Best Cultural Destinations for 2026, based on the quality and volume of traveler reviews. The platform noted that fewer than one percent of its eight million listings receive such distinction.

The listing highlighted Angkor Wat’s sunrise, the historical significance of Angkor Thom, and cultural attractions including the Cambodian Cultural Village and Angkor Night Market.

Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Cambodia chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said the recognition was significant given Tripadvisor’s influence among international travelers. “Even though Siem Reap did not top the list, ranking 13th among the world’s leading cultural cities is still a meaningful achievement that benefits Cambodia,” he said.

The accolade follows Phnom Penh’s inclusion in BBC Travel’s 20 Best Places to Visit in 2026, further boosting Cambodia’s global tourism profile.

According to Angkor Enterprise, nearly 955,131 foreign tourists purchased passes to Angkor Archaeological Park in 2025, generating about USD 44.7 million. December alone saw 87,936 international visitors, bringing in USD 4.2 million.

Nationally, Cambodia received more than 5.1 million international visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, down 13.8 percent year-on-year amid geopolitical tensions and border issues. Vietnam and China remained the top source markets.