In a significant step toward boosting the tourism sector, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) signed an agreement with the Indonesian National Authority Agency to cooperate in sustainable and environmental tourism management at two UNESCO-listed world heritage sites.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday between the ANA’s Director General Hang Peou and Hetty Herawati, Director of Marketing and Business Development at the PT Taman Wisata Candi (TWC) Borobudur, Prambanan, dan Ratu Boko, also known as In Journey Destination Management (IDM).
Marking another milestone for the ANA, this MoU aims at fostering cooperation in sustainable and environmental tourism management at two renowned World Heritage Sites: Cambodia’s Angkor Complex and Indonesia’s Borobudur Temple.
A primary objective of this agreement is to enhance smart and sustainable tourism management practices at both World Heritage Sites, according to the ANA.
It added that the initiative is grounded in the principles of equitable and mutual benefits, aligning with the duties, functions, and authorities of both parties. The aim is to ensure the seamless execution of responsibilities under the World Heritage programme, committed to being carried out in good faith.
For the framework of cooperation, the ANA noted that the agreement also provides a foundational principle and framework for effective collaboration between the involved parties.
Long Kosal, spokesman for the ANA, elaborated that the agreement will contribute significantly to boosting tourism at both world heritage sites, in Cambodia and Indonesia.
“The main objective of the agreement is the exchange of experience and knowledge between the two countries,” he said. “It also aims at connecting the historical tourism sites between Cambodia and Indonesia.”
Speaking to Khmer Times yesterday, he said that the MoU will extend for the period of five years.
Kosal noted that there will be a joint dissemination campaign between Cambodia and Indonesia, as part of the agreement, to attract more tourists to visit the two heritage sites.
He highlighted that through collaborative efforts, the two countries will explore ways to enhance flight options, aiming to create more convenient travel methods for visitors.
Located in Siem Reap province, the 401-square-km Angkor complex is the most popular tourist attraction in Cambodia. It is home to 91 ancient temples built from the ninth to the 13th centuries.
The Angkor complex attracted a total of 1.02 million international tourists in 2024, generating a gross revenue of $47.8 million from ticket sales, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise.
The Borobudur Temple of Indonesia is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, near the city of Magelang and the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia.
Constructed of grey andesite-like stone, the temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circulars, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally 504 Buddha statues.
The two historical sites have both been inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List, with Angkor Wat being inscribed in 1992, while Indonesia’s Borobudur was inscribed in 1991.
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