In 2023, the revenue generated by Angkor Park witnessed a remarkable surge, with over 600,000 international tourists purchasing tickets to explore the Angkor Archaeological Park within the first ten months of the year. This surge in visitor numbers led to a substantial boost in revenue for Angkor Enterprise, the state entity responsible for overseeing ticket sales, with the total revenue nearing $28 million. This figure represents an astounding increase of over 300% when compared to the same period in 2022.

The data outlined in the November 1 report reveals that 602,570 foreign tourists graced the Angkor Park with their presence between January and October, contributing to total ticket sales of $27.88 million. When compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, there was a notable 255.82% increase in visitor numbers and an even more impressive 312.35% rise in revenue. These statistics underscore the growing popularity of this archaeological treasure in Cambodia.

Furthermore, Angkor Enterprise diversified its revenue streams by accumulating $590,948 from ticket sales at the Koh Ker archaeological site. This site, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the capital of the Khmer Empire between 921 and 944 CE and is located in the neighboring Preah Vihear province. Additionally, Angkor Enterprise generated revenue from the Chong Kneas floating village in Siem Reap, with ticket sales reaching values of $149,010 and $441,938, respectively.

Kong Sambath, the vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Tour Guide Association (CCTGA), noted that despite the waning concerns related to Covid-19, the influx of tourists to Siem Reap’s temples has not yet matched the pre-2020 levels. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about future growth. Sambath anticipates that the upcoming inauguration of the new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) and diplomatic visits by Cambodian officials, particularly to China, will further boost tourist numbers. As a tour guide, he holds hope that these diplomatic interactions, particularly with China, will play a pivotal role in amplifying the number of tourists visiting Cambodia.

Khieu Thy, president of the Khmer Angkor Tourist Guide Association, observed that while there has been a steady increase in visitors to Siem Reap’s temples, the global economic crisis has cast a shadow on the rate of growth. This crisis has impacted potential tourists’ disposable income, emerging as a new challenge for travelers. Though travel restrictions have eased in comparison to the years 2020-2022, financial constraints have become a prevailing concern for those considering a visit to the region. However, Thy expects a positive shift in the fourth quarter, traditionally a busy period for the province.

For reference, it’s worth noting that in 2022, Angkor Enterprise reported earnings of $11,783,916 from foreign visitor ticket sales. This figure included a breakdown of $11,528,158 from the Angkor Archaeological Park, $90,450 from Koh Ker, and $165,308 from Chong Kneas. This context serves as a reference point to understand the significant increase in revenue in 2023.

The year 2019 marked a milestone with a record number of tourists, welcoming over 6.6 million arrivals and leading to ticket sales that surpassed an impressive $80.7 million.

Established in 2016, Angkor Enterprise operates under the technical guidance of the tourism ministry and the financial guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The entity’s revenue sources extend beyond the Angkor park, encompassing ticket sales for the Koh Ker temple complex and boat tickets at the Chong Kneas floating village.

The ticketing structure for the Angkor park features three tiers, catering to different visitor preferences and durations of stay. These include one-day passes priced at $37, three-day passes at $62, and seven-day passes at $72. This tiered pricing system allows visitors to choose the option that best suits their exploration plans within the park.