Siem Reap has been placed second among the world’s top 25 travel destinations in 2015, jumping seven places from last year’s ranking, as judged by leading online travel site TripAdvisor.

The site’s Travelers’ Choice awards are based on an algorithm that takes into account reviews of hotels, restaurants and tourism sites in a city.

Marrakech of Morocco stood at the top on the list of global destinations, followed by Siem Reap, while Hanoi in Vietnam took fourth place.

Ho Vandy, co-chair of the government-private sector working group, said that Siem Reap’s improved ranking reflected the enduring appeal of Angkor’s more than 130 temples and the government’s tourism policy.

“Siem Reap is the main cultural and tourism attraction for foreign tourists because they want to see our Angkor Wat temple with their own eyes,” he said.

Vandy added that the visit of US first lady Michelle Obama to the temple last weekend would help attract more Western tourists this year.

In early February, Siem Reap hosted the first World Conference on Tourism and Culture, where representatives from 99 countries gathered to promote the link between culture and tourism.

Cambodia welcomed 4.5 millions foreign tourists in 2014, up 7 per cent compared with 2013.

Siem Reap alone received 2.3 millions foreign tourists, up more than 5 per cent in 2014.