Hotel Price Hike for Sea Festival

KHMER TIMES
SUM MANET

One of the beaches at Sihanoukville where thousands are expected this weekend. AFP

With the annual Sea Festival starting in Preah Sihanouk province today, hotel and guesthouse owners usually increase room prices, however authorities have asked them to make it reasonable for tourists over the three-day period.

Hang Vannaren, the accountant at White Sand Palace Hotel at Sihanoukville, said her hotel has 265 rooms and has cooperated with a Chinese tour agency to book 200 rooms for Chinese tourists during the festival.

“The room price on normal days starts at $75 per day and with the festival, the room price starts from $100 per room,” she said.

“Right now, it is nearly all foreign tourists. Very few locals have booked the hotel.”

Ho Vandy, the secretary-general of the newly founded National Tourism Federation of Cambodia, told Khmer Times that Cambodia is different from other countries when it comes to determining the price of hotel or guesthouse rooms.

Other countries clearly state the price on weekdays, weekends and holidays or festivals, which are recognized by their local authority.

“Normally, when there is a festival, business hotels and guesthouse owners increase their room prices. So do other countries,” Mr. Vandy said.

“It is okay to increase the price on the festival day, but not so much where it makes it difficult for tourists to stay and eat there.”

Phay Siphan, the spokesman for the Council of Ministers, wrote on his Facebook page that the Sea Festival was the place to be and is intended to promote tourism and business in Sihanoukville.

He said the event was a great honor for the city’s businesses as well as people living there, adding that the city was decorated and ready to warmly welcome local and international visitors.

“I hope everyone gives a friendly welcome to create a cozy environment, but not only for this festival,” he said.

“This is a page in history for businessmen, citizens and officials at all levels to show hospitality and welcome guests who attend there.

“In this regard, I hope that full cooperation will take place at the Sea Festival.” The three-day festival runs until Sunday, Christmas Day. A crowd of 600,000 is expected at event, according to the provincial governor.