Tourists preferred to visit Cambodia’s northeastern provinces, particularly Ratanakkiri, during the public holidays to celebrate King Norodom Sihamoni’s birthday, according to officials.

Nget Pitou, director of Ratanakkiri province’s Tourism Department, estimated that the number of visitors in Ratanakkiri during King Norodom Sihamoni’s birthday increased more than 40 per cent compared with the same period last year.

“All hotel rooms are full, even new hotel rooms,” he said, adding that Ratanakkiri has nearly 1,000 rooms, 200 more than last year.

According to Pitou the reasons for the increase are better roads, and roundtrips through Cambodia’s provinces – Kratie, Stung Treng, Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri.

Sok Eng, owner of the Sok Eng Guesthouse in Ratanakkiri’s Banlung city, said her 27-room guesthouse was fully booked by tour operators.

“I see more visitors than during Khmer New Year or Chinese New Year,” she said.