All Along the Watchtower

KHMER TIMES
MAY KUNMAKARA

Tourists will soon be able to have a panoramic view of Angkor Wat from a tower. Reuters

Authorities in Siem Reap hope to build an observation tower tall enough to give visitors a panoramic view of the province and the Tonle Sap river.

The aim is to add to the area’s attractions such as its UNESCO-listed ancient temples, and encourage tourists to extend their stay.

Khin Song, governor of Siem Reap province, led a meeting to discuss the plan with provincial departments on Monday.

He told local online news that the plan has had government approval and the provincial authority is seeking foreign investment for the project.

“The tower will be a new attraction for tourists to visit the province,” said Mr. Song.

“Besides visiting the temple, they can view all of the province, rice fields, other ancient temples, and the Tonle Sap River.”

He did not reveal the cost or the exact date of construction but said it would be early next year.

Neb Samuth, director-general for the Ministry of Tourism, said yesterday that the initiative will be another attraction as the local authority tries to diversify to serve tourists.

“I do support the project because it will give another new experience for tourists to visit the province after seeing the temple. It is another new product to make tourists stay longer in the province. That’s a good point,” Mr. Samuth said.

In June, the European Council on Tourism and Trade announced Cambodia as the “World’s Best Tourist Destination” for 2016. Cambodia outperformed some 30 contestants, including last year’s winner Ethiopia.

Siem Reap was placed fifth among the world’s top 25 travel destinations in 2015, dropping from second place in the previous year’s ranking by TripAdvisor, a popular online site for travelers and one trusted by tourists choosing destinations to visit around the world.

The Cambodia-based Grand Lion Group is to invest hundreds millions of dollars to open the first Marriott International brand hotel in Siem Reap in April.

The company says the Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort will be 15 minutes from Angkor Archaeological Park. It will feature 233 stylish guestrooms.

President and CEO of the Grand Lion Group Lundy Nath said that with the attraction of Angkor Wat, millions of tourists visit the site every year making him invest in this kind of luxurious hotel.

“We are extremely excited and geared up for the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort in April. The Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the world’s top UNESCO World Heritage Sites which continues to attract increasing numbers of international visitors,” he said.

“I am confident that the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort, an established worldwide hospitality brand, will play an important role in attracting visitors from far and wide.”

He said the hotel targets international guests, especially from Asia, the US and Europe, who are accustomed to the high service standards of the Marriott brand.

Cambodia welcomed nearly four million foreign tourists from January to the end of October compared with 3.7 million in the same period last year.

The Grand Lion Group also plans to open a 250-room Marriott branded resort in Cambodia’s beachside playground of Sihanoukville adjacent to a 688-unit residence and a retail mall.

It is slated to break ground in the fourth quarter of 2017, with capital investment of $160 million and an opening date set for 2020.