Angkor ticket sales jump 72.5% in 2017

Revenue from the sales of entrance tickets at the Unesco-listed Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province jumped 72.5% in 2017, reaching $107.9mn. With the growth in foreign visitors being only moderate—increasing by only 11.8% in 2017—the rise in revenue is likely the result of a hike in ticket prices that came into effect in February. The price hike was the main cause of the increase in revenue, said Ho Vandy, the secretary-general of the Cambodia National Tourism Alliance, who also expressed concern over some negative side-effects of having raised prices, including a possible decrease in the number of days foreign travelers are spending in Siem Reap. Businesses in the sector are reporting that tourists are shortening their trips in Cambodia; while, this is worrying, it is not possible to draw conclusion that it is a result of the price hike at the Angkor complex, he said. (Source: Khmer Times)