SEVERAL dozen tourism service providers said they agreed on Sunday to stop transporting tourists to Chong Kneas, a floating village in Siem Reap province, in response to an entrance fee increase this month by Sou Ching Company, which operates the docks at the village.

The company increased the entrance fee from US$1 to $5 per person earlier this month.

"We have decided to stage a temporary boycott to convince tourists not to visit the village," said Ho Vandy, co-chairman of the Government-Private Sector Working Group on Tourism, adding that the boycott was temporary, but would not be lifted until tourism service providers met with Sou Ching.

Var Chuda, manager of Sou Ching Company, said he did not see a need to attend the meetings, adding that he believed tour companies were less concerned about the new fee than they were about a policy change requiring tourists to purchase tickets from the company aimed at stopping scalping. "This new fixed price for tourists is fair and transparent," he said.