Cambodia’s tourism slump leaves Angkor Wat eerily quiet
Watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat once meant fighting for elbow room, a hundred phone screens glowing in the dark as tour buses disgorged crowds chasing the same postcard-perfect shot These days, the 12th century temple complex is comparatively quiet, with operators reporting
AdvertisementCambodiaThis Week in AsiaEconomicsCambodia’s tourism slump leaves Angkor Wat eerily quietTourist arrivals have collapsed by nearly 50 per cent this year, forcing local operators to rethink Cambodia’s entire pitch4-MIN READ4-MINSam BeltranPublished: 8:00am, 28 Jul 2026Watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat once meant fighting for elbow room, a hundred phone screens glowing in the dark as tour buses disgorged crowds chasing the same postcard-perfect shotThese days, the 12th century temple complex is comparatively quiet, with operators reporting an emptying of Cambodia’s most recognisable landmark.“Angkor is as quiet as I have seen it in years,” said Akim Ly, founder of the Siem Reap-based tour company Adventures Cambodia and a member of the Cambodia Tourism Association.“The travellers who do come are standing at sunrise with space around them – and that is worth saying out loud.”
Quieter times: restoration work is seen at the Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on July 20. Photo: ANA/XinhuaCambodia’s tourism industry is in retreat: squeezed by safety concerns, border clashes with Thailand and reputational damage caused by the scam compounds that proliferated within its borders.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.
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