Tourism Indochina: Phnom Penh, new destination

Phnom Penh, new destination

Starting 27 March 2011, Air France will begin operating a new service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. Flight bookings and ticket sales are now open.

The three weekly flights between Paris and Phnom Penh, with a stopover in Bangkok, will be operated by Airbus A340-300 equipped with 275 seats (30 in Business, 21 in Premium Voyageur and 224 in Voyageur-Economy), and subsequently during summer 2011 by Boeing 777-200ER equipped with 309 seats (35 in Business, 24 in Premium Voyageur and 250 in Voyageur-Economy).

Flight schedules between Paris and Phnom Penh

Paris-CDG / Phnom Penh
AF 274, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Departing at 19:30, and arriving in Bangkok at 11:50, the following day,
Departing for Phnom Penh the same day at 13:20, arriving at 14.35
Phnom Penh / Paris-CDG
AF 273, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Departing at 20:15, and arriving in Bangkok at 21:30
Departing for Paris the same day at 22:55, and arriving at 06:10, the following day.

Flight times allow customers to benefit from convenient connecting opportunities to and from destinations worldwide at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.


Source: Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia

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Tourism Indochina: Tourist in Phnom Penh Likes Traveling by Cyclos

Tourism Indochina: Tourist in Phnom Penh Likes Traveling by Cyclos


Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonized Cambodia, and has grown to become the nation's center of economic and industrial activities, as well as the center of security, politics, economics, cultural heritage, and diplomacy of Cambodia.

Once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina in the 1920s. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city is noted for its beautiful and historical architecture and attractions. There are a number of surviving French colonial buildings scattered along the grand boulevards.
Situated on the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, the Phnom Penh metropolitan area is home to more than 2 million of Cambodia’s population of over 14 million. The city is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia and is home to the country’s political hub.

The common name for tricycle rickshaws, as used in Vietnam and Cambodia; a form of public transport consisting of a tricycle with the passenger compartment up front. Seats up to three passengers.

Less-than-brave tourists might want to avoid the cyclo’s low speeds and high exposure to city traffic, but intrepid travelers will appreciate the cyclo’s convenience and amazing ability to weave through congested streets.

Tourist in Phnom Penh likes traveling by cyclos to see the good view of the city: Foreign tourists who come to visit Phmon Penh prefer riding the cyclos to see the view of the city because the fare of riding is cheap and it is easy to take photograph.


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Tourism Indochina: Phnom Penh-Siem Reap Airline Traffic

Tourism Indochina: Phnom Penh-Siem Reap Traffic

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2009-01-28):

Full year figures are in for Cambodia’s two airports and while the airport serving the capital Phnom Penh held its own, the more leisure hub of Siem Reap dipped slightly as leisure travelers opted to stay at home.

Following years of dramatic growth levels Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) lifted by 5.6% to 1.69 million visitors from the 2007 level of 1.6 million passengers, holding steady amidst global uncertainties.

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SEP), which services the world heritage site of Angkor Wat saw a marked downturn of leisure traffic, dropping 11.6% down to 1.53 million passengers for the full year from 1.73 million achieved in 2007.

Despite the fact the Phnom Penh serviced the capital city; traffic at the touristier SEP overtook PNH in 2006. This recent dip edges PNH back in front.

Forecasts for 2009 show that whilst the capital is expected to slightly grow its traffic numbers Siem Reap, on the other hand, is expected to continue its contraction.

Both PNH and SEP are managed by Cambodia Airports. The government run aviation body also runs Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS), the country’s third, and newest, international airport which does not yet offer scheduled services.

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Flight from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to Sihanouk Ville

Air traffic to Cambodia’s recently revamped Preah Sihanouk International Airport is on track to start from November, officials said last week. “I went to check all the technical equipment last Friday” State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) Secretary of State Mao Havannal told the Phnom Penh Post on Tuesday.

“Everything is in place and complies with international standards” he said referring to the refurbishments completed by Societe Concessionnaire des Aeroports (SCA). Mao Havannal said the launch of the airport would be presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and top officials from France including French Prime Minister Nicholas Sarkozy. The launch will see national carrier Cambodia Angkor Air offer chartered services to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap from Sihanoukville. Soy Sokhan, SSCA undersecretary of state in charge of CAA, said the airline was still considering the feasibility of establishing regular flights on those routes. “Firstly, we need to complete a market survey looking at the number of tourists, and contact with travel agents who book passengers on cruises to get an idea of potential demand,” he said. According to Mao Havannal, Siem Reap Airways may be unable to fly from the airport as it has not registered any planes in Cambodia, a requirement for domestic operators to receive an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). “I don’t know for sure if Siem Reap Airways will be able to fly or not” said Mao Havannal. “It depends on the airline because we have already confirmed with them that if they want to resume their operations, they need to register an airplane [in Cambodia].

“It already completely complies with SSCA requirements and has satisfied concerns over its operations.” SCA will announce its flight schedule for Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanouk international airport on October 21.

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Minority groups in Cambodia get spotlight

According to media sources in Phnom Penh, the Center for Advanced Study (CAS) has announced a release of the first book about the history of ethnic minority groups in Cambodia.

The 664-page book examines the lifestyles and cultures of Cambodian residents of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Laotian descent, as well as members of Muslim and other minority communities, CAS director Hun Sokhom was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

"We hope the book will help Khmer people better understand the traditions and cultures of each ethnic group," Hun Sokhun said, adding that he believed that widespread distribution of the book will reduce discrimination directed at minority groups.

The book is based on two separate studies carried out by Khmer and foreign experts - a three-month study by the United Nations in 1996, and a 12-month study in 2006, paid for by the Rockefeller Foundation, according to the newspaper.

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A new US$100 million five star hotel is being built by the Sokimex conglomerate in Cambodia's capital

The 799-room hotel which is expected to be completed by 2011 will be situated on the east side of the riverfront on Chhroy Changva peninsula in Phnom Penh's Russey Keo district.

"The 16-storey Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will be built on six hectares of land which is under a 99-year land lease from city hall from 2007," Sokimex president Sok Kong told the Phnom Penh Post.

Sok Kong said the location of the hotel was atmospheric with beautiful river views but admitted, "There is a problem with traffic because there is only one bridge for access".

He said that although the city had recently experienced a hotel boom no new conference facilities have been built to entice business travellers to the city.

The Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will feature two conference rooms with seating capacity for 1,500 persons and parking spaces for 1,000 cars.

"The hotel's conference centre will seat up to 1,500 people, and will be the [country's] biggest conference hall. It will raise Cambodia's reputation internationally," he said.

"The Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will be the hotel with the largest conference hall in the city, and it will be suitable for international conferences," said So Mara, undersecretary of state in the tourism ministry.

Cambodia Hotel Association president Loo Meng welcomed the new hotel which will create 1,200 jobs for Cambodians.

“It is a good sign for the tourism sector. It shows that the tourism industry is getting better and better,” he said.

"The hotel will be good for high-class guests, and it will be as high quality as those in neighbouring countries."

Sok Kong said that the Sokha Phnom Penh would be the third five-star hotel operated by Sokimex in Cambodia, joining existing Sokha hotels in Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Two more were on the drawing boards, he added.

Sokimex is also building two golf courses in a protected area on Bokor Mountain, Sok Kong said, adding that the company was also planning a resort at the site of old Bokor casino.


Source EBT News

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A new entrance of meter Taxis would facilitate an easy accessibility in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia.

A new investment of Chinese-invested Global Cambodia Trade Development Co Ltd provides Taxi services provision in Phnom Penh city, Cambodia. A fleet of 12 shiny new taxis was deployed on the streets of Phnom Penh over the weekend by the Chinese-invested Global Cambodia Trade Development Co Ltd. The service provision would facilitate a more easy accessibility for local resident and international tourists with the affordable price and comfortable travel in the city. The company has set a two-kilometer taxi ride cost US$1 and 400 Riels ($0.10) for each 200 meters. Taxis offer a greater service in terms of comfort and safety along with lower fares.


Phnom Penh governor Kep Chuktema said at city hall that the city strongly supported the new metered taxis. While he acknowledged the complaints of Tuk-Tuk drivers that “it’s a free market and everyone should compete.” Under the company’s agreement with city hall inked in November 2007, Global would deploy 12 more taxis in the next couple of week and would operate a fleet of 60 vehicles by September 2008, said Lim. The company has invested $1.5 million in setting up the service and expected to operate at a loss of $150,000 to $200,000 in the first year, he said.


However, a new entrance of meter taxis would make harder competition for Tuk-Tuk drivers while a new substitution service provider has more advantages in the same industry. Global Cambodia Trade Development CEO Andre Lim said the point was not to compete with other services.” We just want to provide more choices to people,” Lim said. Even though there is a clear statement of Global Cambodia Trade Development CEO, it will have unavoidable effects for the Tuk-Tuk drivers. Despite the fact that meter Taxis have a better service, it is optional service for the customer and it depends accordingly to the customers’ preference. The more service providers the more choices customers could make and the better serves is offered.


By CHHEM Samnang


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