via Khmer Times, 17 January 2020: The Apsara Authority reacts to the Traveller.com.au article about avoiding Angkor, labeling it a call for boycott and even lodging a protest with the Australian embassy. It should be pointed out that the original article does not call for a boycott.
“The government should check and prove if there are problems like the ones mentioned in the article,” Mr Sinan said. “There have been many criticisms…about the maintenance of the area and the Apsara Authority addressed them. This report will affect the reputation of Angkor Wat.”
Mr Groundwater in an e-mail yesterday suggested his article was misunderstood.
“I would like to reiterate that my story didn’t call for a boycott of Angkor or Siem Reap. It merely recommended that readers visit one of the other 71 temples of Angkor, instead of the most popular site, Angkor Wat,” he said.
“My conclusion that Angkor and Siem Reap are being affected by overtourism is certainly not unique…and was based on a Unesco report into dangerously low groundwater levels in the area, as well as various other articles listing damage,” Mr Groundwater added. “It is my opinion that there would be a long-term benefit for the Angkor Archaeological Park if tourists were to spread themselves throughout the entire complex rather than focus just on Angkor Wat, and I don’t believe that’s an offensive or unfair point of view.”
Source: Apsara Authority slams Australian website over Angkor Wat slur – Khmer Times
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