A French senator has expressed an interest in establishing a new museum near Preah Vihear province’s UNESCO-listed Koh Ker Temple, believing it would boost the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

Vincent Eble, a senator for the Seine-et-Marne department in the north of France, met with Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on May 17, according to a social media post by Hun Sen.

During the meeting, Eble suggested that while it was important that Cambodia do more to attract international visitors, it is also crucial to encourage them to stay longer. One way to do this, he noted, is to build attractions that will hold the attention of guests, such as museums.

“He said he had discussed the matter with Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona during an earlier meeting, and plans to build a museum near Koh Ker Temple that will receive guests who have visited the temple,” added the post.

No further details have been released.

The Koh Ker Temple archaeological site was officially listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September last year.

The ancient temple – with a sprawling compound that covers 1,187ha – is located in Srayong commune of Kulen district.

The National Authority for Preah Vihear, which administers the site, announced that since the UNESCO listing, an ever-increasing number of visitors have been flocking to the temple.