Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia’s answer to Booking.com?

Cambodia’s answer to Booking.com?

A screenshot of the Bayonia.com website showing available hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap.
A screenshot of the Bayonia.com website showing available hotels and guesthouses in Siem Reap.

Cambodia’s answer to Booking.com?

A Siem Reap-based startup has created a booking website for Cambodian hotels and guesthouses that it hopes will provide a local alternative to international heavyweights Agoda and Booking.com

At the recent travel-focused Startup Weekend, there was a consensus among the participants that Siem Reap has nothing resembling a “startup scene” for its tourism sector, despite being located next to the biggest tourist draw in the Kingdom, Angkor Wat.

But Meas Sinal, co-founder of Siem Reap-based startup Bayonia, is hoping to change that. The 32-year-old and his three team members are attempting to create a Cambodian alternative to international hotel-booking sites Agoda and Booking.com.

Sinal said what he hopes will set Bayonia apart from these giants is a smaller, curated range of accommodation approved by his team or trusted users, and specifically selected to appeal to the Cambodian market.

“We understand the specific needs of local Cambodian customers,” Sinal said. “For example, they need parking space, because many travel by car. They often need big family rooms and additional beds. There is also a special price range for locals, and we try to find the most suitable hotels for them.”

Having been developing the software since 2016 and launching late in 2017, the website currently only has a few listings in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Kampot, but Sinal plans to expand nationwide. While he acknowledges that it will be a time-consuming process to vet the accommodation, he believes this is what will make the business stand out. Right now the team is focused on product improvement and operations.

Meanwhile Sinal has one eye firmly on the long-term future and is looking beyond the Kingdom.

“At the moment we are focusing on the local market, but we are already in talks with other partners in Southeast Asia about expanding the concept of a local booking service,” he said. “We would need to make sure that we have the same level of customer understanding as we have in Cambodia already.”

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans