Angkor fees under new management

PHNOM PENH, 6 January 2016: The Cambodian government officially took over ticket sales at the Angkor Archeological Park effective 1 January.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon told the Phnom Penh Post that a new inter-ministerial body, controlled by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Ministry of Tourism, had already taken over ticketing services.

A sub-decree to formally announce the change was expected shortly, he added.

“Ministry of Economy and Finance has taken the job [of ticket sales] from Sokimex… This new commission will supervise, control and check ticket sales.”

The minister cited: “We will just change the very top management. Collections from ticket sales will be controlled by and go directly to the national treasury.”

Tourists and tour companies will see no visible changes as the collection system and staff at the fee booths remain in place.

Cambodia’s government terminated the contract for ticket sales at Angkor temples with Sokimex Group, 6 November, after accusations by opposition politicians that the contract was not in the best interests of the nation. The group received a concession to manage the temple complex in April 1999. The company runs a nation-wide grid of fuel stations, hotels and resort-style real estate. It is owned by tycoon Sok Kong.

During January to November, last year, 1.87 million international tourists visited Angkor temples increasing 2.2% during the same period in 2014, according to Apsara authority data.

Foreign tourist ticket sales at the Angkor Wat Temple complex reached USD53.5 million in the first 11 months of last year, up 1.15% year-on-year.

Foreign visitors pay USD20 for a one-day pass to the temples, USD40 for three days and USD60 for a weeklong pass. There are no entrance fees for Cambodian nationals.

The Angkor Archeological Park is the main tourist attraction 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.