Cambodia Bay

Cambodia Bay might not have a remarkably high profile yet, but it is a leisure tourism, business travel and MICE destination being positioned by the Cambodian government as the country’s third major international tourism destination.

Encompassing four Cambodian provinces – Kep, Kampot, Koh Kong and Sihanoukville – Cambodia Bay is a region of beaches, economic development and appealing scenery, drawing robust international investment and driving business traffic.

Aside from hotel projects, development plans in the region include a remarkable integrated resort. An under-utilized infrastructure is being put to good use, particularly the upgraded Sihanoukville Airport, and cruise traffic is set to be fostered.

In 2011, Cambodia Bay joined the Most Beautiful Bays in the World league, an international organization based in France that sets high requirements for membership.

The 11-day Cambodia Revealed tour features exotic areas of Cambodia not usually visited by travellers. New destinations include the colonial port town of Kampot and uncrowded beaches at Sihanoukville and Kep.

According to John Black, Cambodian Country Manager of Travel Indochina, it is essential to the company that tourists are shown the ‘real Asia.’

“Cambodia is so much more than just Angkor Wat and the Killing Fields, and on this journey our travellers experience parts of Cambodia that visitors to the Kingdom very rarely see,” he said.

“We are passionate about the country, delving well beneath the surface and leaving our travellers with a true understanding of life and history in Cambodia. Our completely revised Cambodia itinerary includes new areas which have been previously closed to tourists, such as the trip up Bokor Mountain, or lesser-known charms such as Kep-sur-Mer (or Kep).”

This year, Travel Indochina is offering 14 ‘Cambodian Revealed’ departures at prices starting from $1,665 for each person twin share. The price covers hotel accommodation for 10 nights, daily breakfast, tour arrival, departure transfers and all sightseeing as specified inclusive of entrance fees.

According to a previous report by the Post, the company took over the Holiday Palace in 2010 to expand and renovate the property.

Queenco opened the project’s first phase, which comprises a 60-room hotel and casino with 130 slot machines, on December 30, said Yigal Zilkha, founder and a major shareholder at the company. A high-end restaurant would likely open in a month, he said.

The phase two of the project will comprise 200 suites, a casino featuring 350 slot machines and 50 games tables, a pool area, convention center, health club and spa, said Zilkha. The second phase is likely to be completed in early 2013, with the entire renovation set for completion in 2014.

Queenco is certain that the ambitious project will see enough demand thanks to Cambodia’s warm welcoming of foreign investors and the activation of commercial service to Sihanouk International Airport.

“Cambodia is an emerging market that will grow fast in the coming years, specifically in the beautiful beach areas of Sihanoukville,” said Zilkha.

“This will happen as the quality of the hotels and activities improve. We are happy to pioneer international standard development to assist this growth.”

The company is also planning to develop a 9ha-seaside property acquired in 2008, he said. It plans to develop a 2,000-room hotel and casino resort and condo complex in the area, which will comprise a convention center, spa, shopping mall and restaurants. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2013.

Queenco opened its 60-room hotel and adjacent casino featuring 130 slot machines, gaming tables as well as a health spa on December 31, said the news industry trade publication.

In 2010, the company took over the Holiday Palace to refurbish and enlarge the property, said an earlier report by the Post.

The Tel Aviv- and London-listed company, which owns a 70 percent stake in the project, also acquired 9ha of undeveloped beachfront property in 2008 for a sum of $10 million. As of 2010, Queenco planned to commence development towards end-2011, according to the Post report.

Sihanoukville Autonomous Port

Revenues from shipments that passed through Sihanoukville Autonomous Port jumped 7 percent year on year last year, said port officials.

SAP data reveals that total revenues rose to US$30.5 million in 2011 from $28.5 million in the previous year.

According to port General Director Lou Kim Chhun, the budding Cambodian economy prompted local manufacturers to increase production, thus boosting cargo traffic.

“As normal, if our economy increases, the shipment of cargoes also hikes,” said Lou Kim Chhun, adding that this trend will continue this year.

Shipments included imports of raw materials for garment manufacturing, electronics and construction material, as well as exports of clothes, wood and milled rice, he said.

Exports of milled rice enjoyed a 199 percent year-on-year increase from around 44,500 tons in 2010 to around 133,000 tons in 2011.

Total shipments through Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in 2011 weighed 2.42 million tons, up 9 percent from that in 2010.

Sihanoukville’s inaugural Sea Festival proved to be a success, drawing around 50,000 visitors.

The festival, an effort to expand Cambodia’s tourism appeal beyond Siem Reap, lured tourists with foods, sporting events and arts and culminated with a fireworks display along Occheuteal Beach at midnight on December 31.

The Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap have traditionally been the most famous destination in Cambodia, but the government has tried to attract attention particularly from investors to the undeveloped coast.

“We did this to attract investors. They need to see everything’s ready, then they will come,” said Tourism Minister Thong Kong when he visited Sihanoukville for the weekend.

The coast’s entry into the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World last May and the addition of flights between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville by Cambodia Angkor Air have boosted the reputation of the emerging tourist destination, he said.

Out of the over 1 million visitors to Siem Reap annually, 10 to 20 percent, or up to 200,000, visit Sihanoukville through intra-country flights, while another 100,000 arrive by car, bus or boat, said Thong Kong. Cambodian visitors to Sihanoukville reach 500,000 per year, he added.

“Investors need to see the infrastructure development,” said Thong Kong. “Now that they see the connectivity, they’ve started investments.”

The celebration was important in developing tourism on the Cambodian coast, said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who also attended the festival.

“This event will give so many benefits to advertise about the potential of coastal tourism,” said Sok An, adding that the festival will be hosted by different coastal areas every year.

Up to 50,000 visitors spent New Year’s weekend in the coast of Sihanoukville, said Thong Kong, adding that next year’s festival will happen in Kep.

Prison director Pich Veasna said German national Alexander Watrin walked free from prison on the same day as Russian paedophile Alexander Trofimov. The German had been serving a seven year sentence for sex crimes against four boys aged below 15 years old.

“He served nearly six years of his seven years sentence, so he also walked free from prison like Trofimov,” said Pich Veasna to the Post. The director said he didn’t know where the two had gone and refused to comment when asked about the impact of their early release on their victims.

Both had targeted poor children living around and in Sihanoukville’s coastal resort. They were found guilty of sex crimes against 21 kids, though child protection officials who investigated both paedophiles said the number of victims could be higher.

Action Pour Les Enfants county director Seila Samleng said APLE and around 10 other NGOs have contacted the Ministry of Interior to ask the two men to be deported and charged in their respective land. They have also contacted the Interpol since Trofimov faces various allegations of raping young children in Russia.

“Our first concern is that he may approach his former victims,” said Seila Samleang, also expressing fear that the two would look for new victims.

Ek Tha said CNOOC’s CEO told Deputy Prime Minister HE Sok An that the company drilled its first well since it obtained the project in 2007.

The Prime Minister welcomed the drilling and inquired about the company’s decision in Block F.

The block covers over 7,000 sq km, and the first drilling project is expected to incur US$20 million in cost, said the National Petroleum Authority.

The start of the drilling comes after the civil society received an environmental impact assessment last month.

The Kingdom hopes to obtain its first drop of oil by the end-2012.

Ochheuteal Beach, Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville’s Ochheuteal Beach is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors on New Year’s Eve for the Kingdom’s inaugural Sea Festival, which marks the country’s entry to the list of the world’s most beautiful bays.

The Tourism Ministry projected the one-day festival as one of the largest initiatives to commemorate marine and coastal life. The December 31 event is expected to be an exciting blend of music, food and sport, stressing the impact of oceans to human life.

Last May, Paris-based Les Plus Belles Baies Du Monde added the Kingdom to its Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club recognizing its efficient marine and coastal management. Cambodia takes pride in its 440 km of coastline across Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kep and Kampot provinces.

“This is a unique tourism event,” said Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of Cambodia’s National Olympic Committee. “We have concerts involving Malaysian and Indonesian troupes. We have day-long food courts full of Cambodian cuisine and delicacies and specialties from many other countries like India, Thailand, Italy, France.”

For the first time, the committee is introducing jet skiing races and 5km sea swimming – an awesome experience for Cambodians, said Vath Chamroeun, adding that the main thrust might the be opening up of its beautiful beaches and promotion of eco-tourism. Sports, however, will have a vital role in making the festival exciting for everyone, he continued.

“Bokator will reflect our rich heritage. Beach wrestling will offer performers and spectators a new kind of thrill on the sandy beaches. As always, beach volleyball provides great entertainment, and to add to the fun we have our first shot at horse racing. Three ponies will race each other on sand.”

The company, which will work with a local player, will carry out hotel casino and other related businesses in Sihanoukville’s Holiday Palace Hotel.

The first phase of the project will start within a month. It will involve the launch of a casino featuring 130 gaming machines and 60-room hotel located next to the existing hotel.

Under the second phase of the project, the existing hotel will go through renovation, improvement and extension, and a second casino will be opened.

Queenco will own 70 percent of the venture via its subsidiaries.