Cambodian agents lobby against hike in Angkor Wat ticket prices

[geovalin]

Cambodian agents lobby against hike in Angkor Wat ticket prices Marissa Carruthers, Phnom Penh, August 30, 2016

CAMBODIA’S travel industry players are lobbying the government to delay a move that would raise entrance fees to the Angkor Wat Archaeological Park. Earlier this month, the Angkor Institution, which manages ticketing, stated that from February 1, 2017, one-day passes will jump from US$20 to US$37, three-day passes from US$40 to US$62, and a week-long ticket will increase to US$72 from US$60. Most are worried about the the negative effects it would have on tourist arrivals. Ho Vandy, secretary-general of Cambodia’s National Tourism Alliance, said she was shocked by the price increase.   The move has been opposed by tour operators, who are now tasked with informing pre-booked clients. Jo Crisp, general manager at Peak Cambodia DMC, said the price increase is “significantly more than travel companies anticipated”. She added: “Like most travel companies, we follow an annual product cycle and sign contracts with agents in June and July. The product has been printed in brochures and is being sold via websites, and clients have purchased based on those prices. For many companies, this affects not just one or two clients but thousands.”   The Cambodian Association of Travel Agents is currently working with the government on the prices. It is hoped the hike can be introduced in phases or pushed back to October 2017 or January 2018. Luu Meng, co-chair of a government-private sector working group on tourism, said it is essential the new ticketing structure comes coupled with added interest for visitors. He said: “When prices go up it affects visitors’ feelings. We need to show them the quality products and services they will receive from the increased price.”   source http://www.ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=27866

[Colabamumbai]

They need to start spending some of this money to upgrade Siem Reap to a tourist destination. Fix the damn city, there are enough hotels and restaurants.

[1337markus]

Greed will lead to tourists saying no. This will have a domino effect on tourism as there is little for them to see after the magnificent Angkor wat park. No one has explained WHY they have to increase the amount?

[performance]

Outrageous and Stupid move

[TheSiemReaper]

I applaud this move and would like to see the price increase to $200 for a day; in addition - I'd like to see them ban every one with an IQ of under 150 too. Tourists are ruining the Angkor temples every effort to keep them away should be deployed as soon as possible.