Angkor earnings dip

SIEM REAP  Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA) reports over 1.23 million foreign tourists visited Angkor temples, January to July, this year, an increase of 2% over the same period last year.
For the first seven months of the year, the revenue from Angkor ticket sales reached USD35 million, down 0.10% from last year.
In July alone, foreign visits to the UNESCO site stood at 153,959, an increase of 4.96% over the same month, last year, generating USD4.3 million, up 4.28%, in tickets sales.

Apsara Authority spokesman, Long Kosal, told Phnom Penh Post that there had been a decline of European tourists visiting the temple complex due to fears about the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
inside no 2However, the decline is more likely linked to economic woes in Europe that has cut in to travel bookings for all ASEAN nations. Fewer Europeans are travelling to Bangkok and that remains a major gateway for visits to Siem Reap.
Tourists from Asia, however, are on the rise. They spend less on park tickets and stay for just one night in Siem Reap.
“There are more visitors from Vietnam, China and other countries in Asia but their stay is much shorter and they have very little interest in our history, or the people’s daily … they travel around province, or go shopping and take selfies.”
The spokesman added: “It is very different from tourists from Europe who really want to know much about our culture, history, and want to learn more and they spend the whole day just for one temple.”
The entrance fees to the Angkor temples and monuments in Siem Reap area for each foreign tourist is USD20 for a day visit, USD40 for three days and USD60 for one week.
Apasra does not say how much of the USD35 million, after operating costs are deducted, goes to supporting communities in the area many of which do not have potable water or basic infrastrucure.
The Angkor Archeological Park is the main tourism attractions in Cambodia, well ahead of coastal areas and the ecotourism sites in the northeastern part of the country.
The park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992 located in Siem Reap province, which lies 315 km northwest of capital Phnom Penh.

sourced:ttrweekly.com