At a time when big bikes are gaining popularity in Cambodia, bikers eager to show off their wheels will have a chance next weekend at the first-ever NagaWorld Cambodia Bike Fest, set to take place in Phnom Penh from July 6 to 8.

The festival, whose highlights will include live music concerts, raffles and special dinners, marks the first collaboration between NagaWorld and the Kingdom’s Ministry of Tourism – a partnership launched with the goal of increasing foreign tourism to Cambodia.

A motorcycle exhibit will be open to the public from 10am until late at night each day.

Bike enthusiasts will be able to admire the big bike showcase, as well as accessories and apparel from popular brands such as Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Yamaha, Suzuki, BMW and Kawasaki.

The last day of the festival will include tattoo artists, fire dancers, a fashion show, a custom bike contest, a cultural dance show and a charity campaign focusing on road safety in Phnom Penh.

Also on that day, international riders from the Iron Butt Association, a world-wide organisation of big-bike enthusiasts, will arrive in the capital after attempting to set a Guinness World Record by riding about 2,500 kilometres non-stop from Johor Bahru, in Malaysia, to Phnom Penh within 36 hours.

The ride is set to be one of the biggest in the region.

Ho Saron, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism, said he expected approximately 60,000 people to attend Cambodia Bike Fest 2012, including around 400 to 500 international bikers from Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore.

NagaWorld has spent US$300,000 in organising the event, according to Rajesh Kumar, vice-president of events, promotions and entertainment at NagaWorld.

Kumar said admission to the festival and exhibit were free, but that bikers who wanted to join the show and display their own bikes must register ahead of time and purchase a festival package.

A $30 package includes a VIP dinner, VIP access pass, Bike Festival and Iron Butt ride T-shirts, while a $25 package includes the dinner, pass and the Iron Butt T-shirt.

Kumar said 149 Cambodian and 350 international bikers had already registered.

Bikers interested in registering for the bike show can do so via NagaWorld’s website, email: [email protected] or phone: 015 88 33 18.

Cambodia Bike Fest 2012 will take place at Hun Sen Park, across the street from the NagaWorld Hotel on Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh.

To contact the reporter on this story: Chhim Sreyneang at [email protected]