ASEANEWS HEADLINE-Business | MYANMAR: Govt exempts ID requirements for int’l tourists visiting Angkor Wat temple
International tourists at the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap. The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to exempt the mandatory requirement of photo and nationality identification for international tourists willing to visit the Angkor Wat temple. It will come into effect in September this year. KT/Chor Sokunthea
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The Royal Government of Cambodia has decided to exempt the mandatory requirement of photo and nationality identification for international tourists willing to buy tickets to enter the Angkor Wat temple. The move will come into effect in September this year.
Presiding over the ‘4th Meeting of the Directors Board of the Angkor Enterprise’, Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF) Tuesday said the government has decided to pass by the requirement of photo and nationality identification for international tourists to visit the Angkor Wat temple.
Memento Maxima Digital MarketingSok Soken, Minister of Tourism (MoT), and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Pornmoniroth said that the initiative is aimed at modifying the Angkor ticket and upgrading convenience for tourists.
Tuesday’s meeting achieved six results: First, completely exempt the need for information about guests such as photos, nationality, age group and gender every time tourists buy the Angkor Archaeological Park ticket from Angkor Enterprise, starting the end of September onwards.
Second, international tourists can buy entrance tickets for 3 days and 7 days shall apply for guest photo and ID requirements until the end of 2024 only.
Third, there should be only one checkpoint at the temple gate instead of four entrances.
Fourth, an agreement with Angkor Enterprise to develop an information technology system for card sales using the Self-Service Machine as well as create mobile applications to promote electronic payment platforms.
Fifth, the Angkor Enterprise must examine the provision of the ticket in the form of a wrist card, making it easier to recognize tourists just by looking at their hands.
Pornmoniroth also agreed to form a working group to bring reforms in the ticket sales at the Angkor Archaeological Park [Phase 2] aimed at launching a new pass that allows tourists to visit many temples with one ticket, which shall be implemented from January 1 next year onwards.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Chhay Sivlin, President of Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA), said that the requirements and procedures at the Angkor Archaeological Park are too time-consuming even though travel agencies arrange the documents for international tourists.
“Besides, the requirement makes the tourist uncomfortable and feel like their information is being shared,” she added.
Sivlin urged the government to reduce the numerous checkpoints and regulations which only add to complexity and disturbs the tourists.
She also raised an issue where security peronnel at the Angkor Archaeological Park keep checking on the ID neck strap, making female tourists feel sexually harassed.
According to the MEF press release, the Deputy Prime Minister asked the management team of the Angkor Archaeological Park to spruce up the arrangement and hygiene of the public toilets at the other temple areas as well.
He urged the institution to strengthen its efficiency in collecting revenue from ticket sales while also improving the procedures for checking tickets, making it easier for visitors.
Based on the MoT announcement, the purpose of the meeting was to review and discuss the ongoing efforts to reform the system of selling entrance tickets for the Angkor Archaeological Park, aimed at improving the process for tourists.
