Tourist Numbers Increase Despite Angkor Ticket Hike

Revenue from ticket sales to foreign tourists visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap reached $30.85 million, up  51 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, according to a report from Angkor Enterprise, the state-run ticketing agency for the park. 

“The revenue has remarkably increased to about 51.6 percent, while foreign tourists have increased to about 8.95 percent, reaching 764,146 in the first quarter of 2017, compared to the same period last year,” the report said. According to the report, a total of $30.85 million was made in revenue from ticket sales to foreign tourists, of which about $29.9 million went to the national budget, while $954,210 went to charity for Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals.

Economy and Finance Minister Aun Pornmonirath and Tourism Minister Thong Khon yesterday pushed Angkor Enterprise to make significant efforts to collect and manage revenue from ticket sales to foreign tourists effectively, transparently, and with accountability when visiting Angkor Wat. The call came after both ministers chaired the fifth meeting of the first mandate of Angkor Enterprise in Phnom Penh yesterday. “To boost the effectiveness of providing ticket sales services, both ministers have decided to allow Angkor Enterprise to manage and develop ticket sales to foreign tourists online, with credit card payment,” the ministers said.

Angkor Wat ticket sales generated $62.5 million last year, a 4.21 percent increase from a year earlier, while the number of foreign visitors rose 4.63 percent to 2.19 million. From February this year, the new price for entrance to the park increased to bring it in line with other tourism destinations in the region, and some of the income will go to charity. The new price of a one-day pass is $37, up from the previous $20; a three-day pass is now $62, up from $40; and a weekly pass is $72, up from $60.

Ho Vandy, the secretary-general of the Cambodia National Tourism Alliance, said the potential for attracting tourists has still to be fully realized. “The tourist numbers are increasing, but the rise is quite flat. We want to see a much bigger increase than this,” he said. “Establishing more tourism products will attract tourists to stay longer, benefiting other sectors.”

Siem Reap Provincial Tourism Director Ngov Seng Kak told Khmer Times yesterday that the increase in the new price for entrance to the park will not affect foreign tourists, as they are still flocking to the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park recently. “There is an increase in the number of foreign tourists and tickets; there is no decline,” said Seng Kak. He has yet to release the total number of tourists visiting Siem Reap, as he promised to release the figures next week after collecting all data from the airport and other border gates.