Angkor Wat Faces Low Visitors and Revenue in 2025, Affecting Cambodia’s Tourism, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on December 3, 2025

According to the newest data from Angkor Enterprise, there was a 3.4% drop in the number of foreign visitors to Angkor Archeological Secrets as well as in ticket sales for the first 11 months in 2025. One of the most visited temples, Angkor Wat, still brings in a lot of revenue from ticket sales, around 40 million dollars, but even it has seen a decline in numbers. This continued decline in both visitors and sales is a frustration for the country as for a very long time the Angkor Archaeological Park has been a major revenue earner and a center for international attention.

Angkor Wat Faces Significant Drop in Visitors

Angkor Wat, the crown jewel of Cambodia’s tourism, reported an 18.9% drop in visitors during November 2025 compared to the same month the previous year. The decline in visitor numbers at Angkor Wat mirrors the overall trend of reduced tourist traffic across the country. In November 2025, only 101,677 foreign tourists visited the temple, a substantial decrease from the 125,314 visitors in November 2024. The drop in visitor numbers is mirrored by a fall in revenue from ticket sales, which decreased by 17.15%, from $5.9 million in November 2024 to $4.9 million in November 2025.

Despite the drop in numbers, Angkor Wat remains the leading source of income within the Angkor Archaeological Park, which is one of Cambodia’s most recognized UNESCO World Heritage sites. However, the overall decrease in both tourists and income signals a broader shift in the country’s tourism landscape, which had been recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contributing Factors to the Decline

Several factors contribute to the reduction in visitor numbers and revenue at Angkor Wat and surrounding sites. The lingering effects of the global pandemic have dampened international travel, especially as some countries face economic challenges that reduce leisure travel budgets. Additionally, competition from other Southeast Asian destinations, which have grown in popularity during the post-pandemic travel boom, may also be influencing the reduced interest in Angkor Wat.

Moreover, the increasing cost of international travel, global geopolitical tensions, and changes in tourist preferences all play roles in reshaping travel patterns to Cambodia. Although Angkor Wat remains a global cultural icon, the decline in visitors suggests that the destination may need to adapt to changing travel trends and enhance its appeal to attract a diverse range of tourists.

Donations to the Kantha Bopha Cambodia Foundation

Despite the downturn in visitor numbers, the ticket sales from Angkor Wat, Chong Khneas boat tours, and Koh Ker temple have continued to support important charitable causes. According to a statement from Angkor Enterprise, a portion of the ticket revenue—$1.7 million in total during the first 11 months of 2025—has been donated to the Kantha Bopha Cambodia Foundation. This foundation plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services to children, especially through the Kantha Bopha Hospital, which offers free treatment to vulnerable populations across Cambodia.

The donations from Angkor’s ticket sales continue to be an essential source of funding for the foundation, despite the decrease in overall revenue. This highlights the ongoing social impact of tourism, even during challenging times for the industry.

Other Attractions in Cambodia See Mixed Results

In addition to Angkor Wat, other popular tourist destinations in Siem Reap and beyond have also experienced varying levels of success. Boat tours to the Chong Khneas floating village earned $1.16 million in ticket sales in 2025, showing a modest contribution to Cambodia’s tourism revenue. Similarly, the Koh Ker temple, located further north in Cambodia, earned $277,215 from the sale of tickets to 18,481 international visitors.

The Beng Mealea temple, another ancient structure in the Angkor region, also saw a decline in visitor numbers. However, it still managed to generate $146,990 from ticket sales to 14,699 foreign tourists. On a smaller scale, the Kbal Spean mountain, known for its unique carvings, attracted just 1,312 visitors, generating a relatively modest $6,560 in ticket sales.

These figures demonstrate that while certain sites like Angkor Wat remain iconic, other locations are still struggling to draw significant numbers of international visitors, particularly in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.

Cambodia’s Tourism Industry: A Mixed Outlook for 2025

Overall, Cambodia’s tourism sector has experienced a mixed performance in 2025. While the first 11 months of the year saw a decrease of 3.4% in ticket sales and international visitors, the country’s broader tourism performance remains noteworthy. In 2024, Cambodia welcomed approximately 6 million international visitors, marking a 22% increase compared to the previous year.

The tourism ministry remains optimistic about the future, focusing on improving infrastructure, marketing campaigns, and promoting new attractions beyond Angkor. However, the country must adapt to the evolving global travel landscape to remain competitive.

The Future of Angkor and Cambodia’s Tourism

As Cambodia’s tourist industry deals these issues, the emphasis on sustainability, cultural preservation, and community engagement will be important to sustaining the region’s worldwide attractiveness. Strengthening the local economy through tourism while safeguarding the cultural heritage of locations like Angkor will be important for a successful recovery and continuing growth in the years to come.