New Angkor walking path expected to boost tourism
APSARA National Authority (ANA) spokesman Long Kosal said the construction of a new path from the Angkor Botanical Garden to the Angkor Archaeological Park will be completed within six months.
Now nearly 90 per cent complete, the new path will serve as a tourist attraction of its own, allowing visitors to walk through dense forests, from the botanical gardens to the south of the Angkor Wat Temple.
He said on February 13 that the ANA is constructing the new pathway in order to create a new tourist attraction for Siem Reap town. He noted that many of the province’s guests have a keen interest in the natural world and would love the opportunity to spend time in the forest.
“The idea was to create a way for visitors to feel safe while walking in the forest. Preparations of the new pathway are nearly 90 per cent complete,” he added.
Kosal explained that tourists will be able to walk to the 160ha Angkor park, allowing them to gain a better understanding of biodiversity in the forest. The ANA expected that the path will mark a major milestone in the promotion of healthy tourism activities.
Prime Minister Hun Manet took to social media on February 13 to reiterate that the government considers Siem Reap province one of the main “economic poles” of Cambodia. The province is rich in both cultural and natural tourism attractions, and has a rich heritage.
He added that the government pays close attention to developing the Kingdom’s tourist destinations, in order to diversify the tourism industry and provide visitors with fond memories.
Manet continued that the government launched the “Visit Siem Reap 2024” campaign – which focuses on promoting the tourism potential of the province, outside of its iconic temples – to attract more guests.
Ho Vandy, an adviser to the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, believed the construction of the new pathway was significant, as it offered more and more choices to visitors, allowing them to experience different landscapes and scenery.
“This path will benefit the tourist sector, because it will encourage tourists to stay longer and gain a clearer understanding of the natural biodiversity surrounding the Angkor park. Another practical selling point is the health benefits they will enjoy by walking through the forest,” he said.