Why American Tourists Now Lead Visits to Angkor Wat in 2024
What draws nearly a million people to one place? For Angkor Archaeological Park, it’s more than just ancient temples—it’s the magic of a destination Americans love to visit. This year, they’ve claimed the crown, surpassing visitors from China, Australia, and beyond. Let’s unpack what’s behind these record-breaking numbers and why this matters for Cambodia’s growing tourism scene.
How US Travelers Claimed the Top Spot and What It Means for Cambodia's Tourism Boom!
The numbers tell an amazing story: 92,841 Americans walked through these ancient temples this year.
That’s more than ever before! The temples are pulling in huge crowds, with ticket sales bringing in $42 million so far. People aren’t just coming for quick visits – they’re staying longer and buying more three-day passes than ever.
Think about this:
More than 898,339 people from all over the world bought tickets to see Angkor Wat in just eleven months.
That’s like filling up eight big football stadiums!
Why Are Americans Leading the Way?
- Easy Travel Access: The new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport opened in late 2023. Now, getting to Angkor Wat is easier than ever. The airport can handle 7 million travelers each year.
- Safe and Peaceful Environment: Cambodia’s steady peace makes tourists feel safe. Ly Se, who runs Angkor Enterprise, says this calm atmosphere brings many international visitors.
- Longer Stay Options: The park offers different ticket choices. A one-day pass costs $37, but many Americans pick the three-day pass for $62 or the week-long pass for $72. These longer passes let people see more temples at their own speed.
- Strong U.S. Dollar: American money goes far in Cambodia. This makes trips to Angkor Wat good value for U.S. travelers.
- Social Media Impact: Pictures of Angkor Wat’s sunrise and temples fill Instagram and Facebook. These amazing views make more Americans want to visit.
Editor’s Note: This article was last updated on December 7, 2024, with the newest visitor statistics from Angkor Enterprise. Our team in Siem Reap checks these numbers every month to give you the most accurate information. We work directly with local tourism experts and guides to bring you real facts about visiting Angkor Wat.
Visitor Numbers in 2024
Almost 900,000 people came to see Angkor Wat this year. That’s a lot more than last year – about 28% more! Here’s who visited the most:
- Americans: 92,841 people (10% more than last year)
- British: 77,446 people (8% more than last year)
- Australians: 72,399 people
- Chinese: 71,176 people
- South Koreans: 65,885 people
Money from Tourism
Tourists spent $42 million on tickets in 2024. Last year, they spent $37 million. The park makes good money from these visits.
How Much Does It Cost?
You can buy three kinds of tickets:
- One day costs $37
- Three days costs $62 (you can use it over 10 days)
- Seven days costs $72 (you can use it over 30 days)
Looking Back at Past Years
In 2019, before COVID-19, 6.6 million people visited Angkor Wat. They spent $80 million on tickets that year! Then COVID hit. Only 2.2 million people came in 2022. But now, things are getting better.
Jobs and Money for Cambodia
Tourism helps Cambodia a lot. Back in 2019:
- Tourism brought in nearly 20% of all money made in Cambodia
- 630,000 people worked in tourism jobs
- 60% of these workers were women
New Things Helping Tourism Grow
The new airport in Siem Reap opened last October. It can handle 7 million people each year! By 2040, it will handle 12 million people. Cambodia wants more tourists to visit. They started a special program called “Visit Siem Reap 2024” to bring more people.
What This Means
More people want to see Angkor Wat now. The temples bring lots of visitors and money to Cambodia. Americans lead the way, showing that people from far away want to see these amazing temples.
Brought to you by Dan and Mat, Your tour planners.
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