The government has approved the construction of a $100 million five-star hotel in Preah Sihanouk province that officials say will be ready to welcome tourists once Covid-19 disappears.
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) issued a final certificate of registration to Yong Wang (Cambodia) Co Ltd to build the 700-room establishment with a capital investment of $108 million.
The hotel is expected to create 858 jobs and will be located in the top tourist area of the provincial capital of Sihanoukville – Commune IV’s Village 4, the CDC said in a press release on Friday.
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall spokesman Kheang Phearum told The Post on Monday that the province, a potential eco-tourism destination, remains a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI).
“Construction and investment projects, especially the construction of a five-star hotel, are a priority of the tourism sector, which is green gold.
“The sector creates employment opportunities, improves people’s lives and incomes and also attracts foreign and domestic investment,” said Phearum.
He said infrastructure improvements, redevelopment of beaches, the repaving and upgrading of 34 roads, and eco-tourism progress on all 32 islands are attracting strong investment and foreign tourists.
“The provincial administration considers Preah Sihanouk province a multi-purpose model special economic zone and a tourist destination.
“It’s a rising star in the southwest thanks to this province ranking as having some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and that have attracted tourists from around the world to visit the Preah Sihanouk province in the past,” he said.
Preah Sihanouk province currently has 107 hotels, and 33 companies investing in accommodation, supermarkets and tourism development areas.
Phearum said: “Due to the Covid-19 disease, international tourists are on the decline while local tourists are on the upswing due to infrastructure system improvements and the redevelopment of the beaches.”
Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said domestic tourism continued to grow during the first two weeks of this month, with more than 250,000 tourists travelling through the country.
He noted that most of the tourists are travelling to eco-tourism sites in the northeast and beach areas in the southwest, especially in Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep provinces.
“Before this growing internal tourism movement, the ministry collaborated with the private sector to develop special standards for tourism safety, including a code of conduct and set of guidelines, in addition to safety and sanitation measures recommended by the Ministry of Health.
“Of note, [a workshop on the] development of basic requirements for staff, tourists and collaborative partners in the resorts, communities, hotels and restaurants is scheduled for next week,” said Khon.
