‘Visit Angkor' app launched as just one-third of international tourists visit temples
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): More than 1.8 million foreign tourists visited Cambodia in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of over 16% compared to the same period in last year.
The increase coincides with the launch of the trial version of the APSARA National Authority (ANA)'s new 'Visit Angkor' mobile app.
The ANA created the app to boost the tourism sector in Siem Reap province and enhance the value of the Angkor Archaeological Park. It is available on the App Store, Play Store or via QR code download.
A May 6 ANA press release highlighted the app's three main features.
The first, 'Temple Features', provides historical information, tour routes, points of interest at each temple, temple maps, and tourist facilities like restrooms, parking and information centres,
The second, 'Beyond Temples', offers details on annual events, museums, community tourism initiatives and popular entertainment sites in Siem Reap.
The third, 'Code of Conduct', informs users about behaviour to avoid when visiting the Angkor complex.
'In addition to its main functions, the app will also provide regular updates about APSARA's activities, annual events, ways to contact relevant authorities in cases of emergency during temple visits and a feedback section allowing users to send anonymous suggestions,' explained the release.
'These can help improve the services the ANA provides, including sanitation and environmental issues,' it added.
Keo Thy, head of the Angkor Tour Guide Association, welcomed the launch of the 'Visit Angkor' app, saying it would significantly enhance convenience for tourists and those interested in learning about the ancient temples of Siem Reap. He noted that such online tools not only help users access information and submit documents remotely, but also reduce costs.
He noted that this isn't the ANA's first digital initiative — online ticket purchases for visiting Angkor are also available.
'Making things more convenient for tourists is part of encouraging and attracting more visitors to the ancient temples of Siem Reap,' he told The Post.'
According a May 8 statement from the Ministry of Tourism, the Jan-Mar period saw the Kingdom welcome 1.84 million foreign tourists an 16.1% increase over the same period in 2024.
The top source of arrivals was Thailand (501,666 visitors, up 19.5%), followed by Vietnam (304,634, up 1.8%), China (286,156, up 50.6%) and several others US, Laos, South Korea, France, the UK, Indonesia and Japan.
The statement explained that of the total number of visitors, around 1.01 million entered via land, 789,384 by air and 32,203 by water.
According to Angkor Enterprises, who are responsible for ticket sales at the Angkor Archaeological Park, from January to April 2025, a total of 474,810 foreign tourists purchased passes, generating around $22.2 million in revenue — an increase of 11.5% over the same period in 2024.
This indicates that around only one-third of international tourists visited the Kingdom's most well-known tourist attraction. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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