In January 2025, Cambodia's Angkor Archaeological Park welcomed 146,140 international visitors, marking a 26.4 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to the state-owned Angkor Enterprise. The park generated approximately $6.9 million in revenue from ticket sales during the month, reflecting a 25 percent increase from January 2024, as reported by Angkor Enterprise.
The Angkor Archaeological Park, located in Siem Reap province in northwestern Cambodia, is the most popular tourist destination in the country. The park covers an area of 401 square kilometers and is home to 91 ancient temples constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, the site attracts visitors from around the globe who come to marvel at its historical and architectural significance.
In 2024, the Angkor Archaeological Park attracted a total of 1.02 million international tourists, generating a gross revenue of $47.8 million from ticket sales, according to Angkor Enterprise.
As part of efforts to enhance visitor experience and accessibility, on January 30, the Royal Government of Cambodia launched reforms to the Angkor ticketing system and ticket inspection system. The reforms provide more options to foreign tourists and travel agencies to purchase entrance tickets via a digital platform on self-service machines. Fifteen self-service ticket machines have been installed at three different locations in Siem Reap: the Angkor Enterprise ticket counter, Angkor Parvis, and the Heritage Walk shopping center. These initiatives aim to make it easier for tourists to visit the ancient temples of Angkor.
The entrance fee for a one-day visit to the Angkor Archaeological Park is $37. A three-day visit costs $62, and a week-long visit costs $72. The new ticketing reforms are expected to streamline the purchasing process and provide greater convenience to visitors.
Despite the recent increase in tourist numbers, some industry experts remain cautious about future growth prospects. Thourn Sinan, Chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter, stated that he does not expect an increase in tourist arrivals to the Angkor complex in 2025 due to the current geopolitical climate, political changes in the US, and crises impacting global travel.
"Unless there are initiatives such as free visas or special incentive packages for destination management companies (DMCs) or travelers, I project that arrivals might remain relatively flat," he told Xinhua, according to the Khmer Times.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq