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Angkor Temples Fall Silent Amid Border Clashes
24 Dec
Summary
- Tourists are avoiding Cambodia's Angkor ruins due to border clashes.
- Businesses report an 80% drop in income, with tours cancelled.
- Despite safety assurances, fear of conflict deters many visitors.
Recent military clashes along Cambodia's border with Thailand have severely impacted tourism at the Angkor temple ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel cancellations have surged, leaving popular attractions like Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple unusually deserted, even during high season. Local businesses, from tour guides to vendors, report significant income losses, with some seeing an 80% decrease compared to the previous year.
These border disputes, rooted in colonial-era disagreements, have led to the closure of overland crossings, disrupting regional travel. This has caused a notable decline in ticket sales to Angkor, with a 17% year-on-year drop recorded between June and November. Despite assurances of safety in Siem Reap, widespread media reports and concerns about regional crime have heightened tourist apprehension.
While the direct impact is concentrated on overland regional travel, global demand for Cambodia remains. Some international visitors have expressed feeling safe and undeterred by the conflict. However, Cambodia's tourism sector, a significant contributor to its GDP, faces challenges in recovering its reputation and visitor numbers until the border hostilities cease.
