The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Cambodia is considering opening the famed Angkor Wat temples at night to draw more tourists to the impoverished country, an official at the archaeological site said.
Similar night tourism efforts have been introduced at other sites in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia already has installed some lights at the network of centuries-old temples, said Bun Narith, who leads the agency responsible for managing the Angkor park.
Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. More than a million foreign tourists are expected to visit this year, with most from South Korea, Japan and the United States. More than half of tourists visit the Angkor temples, by far the country's biggest draw.
Visitors are now ushered out of Angkor at sunset, but authorities are considering extending visiting hours to as late as 8:30 p.m. local time.
"We want tourists to see all views of the temple, even in the dark places where they may have not have seen some of the sculptures and statues," Bun Narith said.
But conservationists have long expressed concerns about tourism's impact on Angkor. They say the uncontrolled pumping of underground water to meet the rising demand of hotels and residents in the nearby town of Siem Reap may be destabilizing the earth beneath the temples.
Similar night tourism efforts have been introduced at other sites in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia already has installed some lights at the network of centuries-old temples, said Bun Narith, who leads the agency responsible for managing the Angkor park.
Tourism is a major foreign currency earner for cash-strapped Cambodia. More than a million foreign tourists are expected to visit this year, with most from South Korea, Japan and the United States. More than half of tourists visit the Angkor temples, by far the country's biggest draw.
Visitors are now ushered out of Angkor at sunset, but authorities are considering extending visiting hours to as late as 8:30 p.m. local time.
"We want tourists to see all views of the temple, even in the dark places where they may have not have seen some of the sculptures and statues," Bun Narith said.
But conservationists have long expressed concerns about tourism's impact on Angkor. They say the uncontrolled pumping of underground water to meet the rising demand of hotels and residents in the nearby town of Siem Reap may be destabilizing the earth beneath the temples.
18 comments:
We should think of protection the site rather of money from tourists. Angkor is the symbol of the nation and the source of proudness for all Cambodians.
The 24 hour safe and security must be put in place 100% and more entertaining activities should be exist to attract tourists to go out and visit Angkor at night. Well if the country can do this, of course this bring them a big money. And important the clean and healthy and affordable foods/drinks should be introduced. Ahh easy access clean public toilets/ shower rooms very urgent and important.
Good luck
It will be easy for "Tessachors" to steal the stones.
I do not agree to have Angkor Wat open for tourists overnight. For occasional events, it is alright, but opening permanently it will create more problems. It will be very difficult for security guards to protect the site. If the government want to attract more tourists, diversifying destination will be a good option.
Well, Cambodia 's opportunity is there. If you dont invest on it, the people won't have a better living standard. Of course about creating jobs.
good luck
i think it's ok if they manage the park properly into the night as well. perhaps they should look into installing street lights as well so the entire park is electrified. good for business because people when sell food etc at the night market. plus, more jobs are created like 24/7 security, etc... plus, cambodia is a fun and exciting country to go out at night nowadays. we are sabayland(happy country). god bless cambodia.
who are you kidding, Angkor Wat doesn't even belong to Cambodia, we think we own it but look at who's making the profit.
Ohh, Cambodia makes profit, local people will make profit. who else?
You 10:17 Get fuck dickheads! you must be a pot drunken thais.
What a great idea to bring in addition revenue for the country for poverty reduction.
Pi Anh: People's Party University
whoever came up with that stupid idea of installing those cheap, ugly light bulbs and wires on those sacred stone walls, was a dickhead...totally out of context.
i urge other readers to ignore the comment from the so-called uneducated 11:15 AM.
10:31, I think what 10:17 is getting at is that the management of Angkor is not on good standard and even though it is a national treasure the majority of the profits do not benefit the Khmer nation or people but instead go to dubious business man who have questionable methods and connection in getting the contract to Angkor Management.
Personally, I believe a night hour Angkor with a bad rule of law in Cambodia is a recipe for disaster.
More opportunities for collusions of selfish people who concern more with money then protection of national heritage, not to mention more crime since it will be easier to target individuals at night in a place as large as Angkor.
What kind of jobs do locals have from this? This new avenue to profit doesn't open up any more opportunity in my opinion. The hotels, restaurants and guest houses have already exceeded the area's max capacity for sustainability.
Leave Angkor some breathing space so she can remain forever for us to cherish.
Don't destroy it because of greed.
11:23 AM
How could they? These people love me as for "who I am," not "what I am." For this reason, they will always love me.
Moreover, bringing additional revenue for the country is not such a bad idea, which I would not any dissension against. Plus we can use the extra money for poverty reduction.
WHAT a 'great' idea!
People's Party University
I am not sure if there are many PPU "People's Party University". The previous one always uses Nak Leng or gangsters' words, but the last one seems to have been educated and can use civilized words.
Th university (People's Party University)will be used as a re-education camp (institution)for Puok Ah Jkuot Jruoks.
Pi Anh: PPU
hey, ppu stands for phnom penh university students. get educated, would ya! god bless cambodia.
phnom penh university or univerity of phnom penh, it's the same name, hello!
Phnom Penh University, yes, Phnom Penh University, or PPU. However, in the not-too-distant future I will personally build the university and name it "People's Party University."
PPU
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