Cambodia's famous Angkor Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the country's top tourist spot. The park recorded 955,131 foreign visitors in 2025. This was a 6.7% drop from the year before.
Angkor Enterprise manages the site and ticket sales. The state-owned group released a report on January 1 showing that the revenue from admission tickets totaled more than $44.7 million. This figure fell 6.51% compared to the previous year.
Current ticket prices remain at $37 for a one-day pass and a three-day pass costs $62. A seven-day pass is $72. These tickets grant entry to the large group of ancient temples. Builders constructed these structures between the 9th and 13th centuries.
Border Tensions Cited as Primary Factor
Border tensions with neighboring Thailand caused most of this downturn in 2025. A territorial dispute turned into armed clashes in July and again in December. These fights closed all land border crossings between the two countries for short periods. The disruptions stopped many tourists coming by land from Thailand. Thailand is a key source of visitors in the region. The conflict also made other international travelers hesitate.
Other problems reduced the visitor numbers as well. Tourists worried about online scams targeting them and December 2025 recorded a sharp drop. Only 87,936 foreign visitors arrived which was a 30% decrease from December 2024.
The park still attracted people from top markets. These included the United States, United Kingdom, France, and South Korea. China sent 80,144 visitors which is 3% less than last year.
Ongoing Recovery from COVID-19
The pandemic hurt global tourism five years ago and Angkor Archaeological Park still has not returned to pre-COVID levels. The park welcomed about 2.2 million foreign visitors in 2019 and earned nearly $99 million in revenue then. The 2025 numbers are less than half of that peak. This shows the lasting effects on Cambodia's tourism sector.
Government Efforts to Reassure Travelers
Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism asked private partners to promote the country as a safe place. A communication campaign stresses that the key tourism areas remain peaceful and safe. This includes Siem Reap province. The home of Angkor is fully open.
Officials feel hopeful about new flight connections and specific ads. Analysts say better regional relations could help as well. Solving visitor concerns might also lead to a rebound in 2026.
A Silver Lining: Serenity for Visitors
The decline hurts local tourism workers and the economy. But it created a rare chance for actual visitors since the crowds are smaller. Guests explore the majestic temples of Angkor Wat. They see the smiling faces of Bayon and the tree-covered ruins of Ta Prohm. The experience offers great calm.
Recent holiday visitors walked through these ancient wonders in peace. This quiet matches the site's spiritual roots. Travelers might want a deep experience without crowds at this great archaeological site. Now is a good time to plan a trip.
