Tourist boom puts Asia’s treasures at risk

The faded ‘No Climbing’ signs are no match for the tourists jostling to capture that perfect shot of the sun setting over the temple of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most famous attraction. The view is stunning but the chaotic scene at Phnom Bakheng, also known as the sunset temple, is not exactly relaxing and it can be a struggle to even get a picture with no strangers in it.

Angkor Wat BBC Documentary Description Video


Visitors to Angkor National Park topped US$1.15 million in 2010, up 25 per cent on the year before. And at tourist spots across the region it’s a similar story.

As the world recovers from the financial crisis and infrastructure in developing countries improves, the number of people drawn to Asia’s cultural and natural riches has exploded. While this brings in much-needed revenue, observers fear that the growth in tourism is putting unprecedented pressure on precious and often fragile World Heritage sites.

Phnom Bakheng Sunset, Angkor Temples

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