Why tourists are playing real-life 'Temple Run' at Angkor Wat
A trend of tourists filming themselves sprinting around Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Cambodia, has sparked debate. The vidoes are a tribute to Temple Run, a video game by Imangi Studios that has been a popular download since its release in 2011, resulting in numerous spin-offs. The game's core premise is to guide an explorer around a temple while animals hunt them as they run, duck, and jump through an obstacle course of ruins and old trees.
UNESCO and conservationists express concern over trend
While the videos have gained millions of views and praise on social media, they have also drawn criticism from conservationists and organizations. A UNESCO spokesperson told the Independent that these trends could "threaten the sustainability of tourism by encouraging a high volume of visitors to congregate in specific areas." Angkor houses remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century, the famous temple Angkor Wat, and Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.
Potential damage to cultural and spiritual value
"It's not just potential damage to the stones..., but it's also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples," conservation consultant Simon Warrack told Bloomberg. Alison Carter, an archeology professor at the University of Oregon, also told Business Insider that Angkor Wat and other Angkorian temple sites are places of living cultural heritage for Cambodian people. "If one wouldn't do something in a church or a mosque, they shouldn't do it in an Angkorian temple," she added.
Some see trend as promoting Cambodia's tourism
Having said that, not everybody is against the trend. According to Bloomberg, some Cambodians on social media have expressed hope that a possible trend may boost tourism, which has suffered since COVID-19. One user commented under a video, "Fantastic, I am coming in a few weeks to do more videos there to promote tourism in beautiful Cambodia." "Thank you for promoting Cambodia. Welcome to Cambodia," another watcher wrote.
