Only 27% of illegally operating travel agencies have been licensed by tourism authorities following a government crackdown announced in January, according to officials. The crackdown follows a nationwide effort to clean up the tourism sector by tightening rules and boosting quality standards.
The Tourism Ministry gave unlicensed agencies until February 1 to obtain permits. But the ministry said that some agencies have been evading authorities.

Currently there are about 300 licensed travel agencies in Cambodia. The government said that unregistered travel agents and agents with expired licences will have one month more to register or extend their licences, or face fines and penalties.

Ho Vandy, co-chair of the Tourism Working Group and head of the Steering Committee of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, said there is a growing problem with illegal travel agencies in Siem Reap province. ‘Illegal tourism companies are doing business without taking care of tourists after they buy tickets from the companies - they are only after their own profit’, he said.
He explained that the tourism industry has pressed authorities to enforce licensing requirements, saying that rogue agencies are bad for the country’s image.

For tours in Cambodia arranged by a fully licensed travel agent contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from The Phnom Penh Post (25-2-09)

Chan Thay Chhoeung’s neighbours thought she was insane when she began growing grapes on her farm, but she’s certainly had the last laugh as tourists flock to her vineyard in Battambang, where she makes red wine and brandy.

In a climate barely even suited to the production of white wine, and into a local market where the vast majority of people have no experience with the pricy and pungent foreign tipple, her plan was a tremendous risk. But Chan Thay Chhoeung and her husband were determined and from their first eight grape vines in 2004, they now have 8,000. She has even begun contracting her formerly sceptical neighbours to produce grapes on their farms. To learn the art of viticulture, she and her husband bought some English winemaking books and, with the help of a dictionary, laboriously translated them into Khmer. They tasted wines mainly from France and Australia, and Chhoeng says it took time for her to become accustomed to the strong taste.

Her products, Banan Red Wine and Brandy, sells for between US$6 and $15 a bottle, and she produces between 8,000 and 10,000 bottles a year, but demand still outstrips supply. Her wine, made from Shiraz and ‘black queen’ grapes, is light and fruity to taste, with a thin colour (like a faded deep purple rather than red), a strong smell of oranges and a hint of cranberries. It is sweet and very drinkable, and the many foreigners who visit her vineyard are shocked she is able to produce such a quality drink from the arid landscape on offer.

For interesting tours of Battambang contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from Phnom Penh Post (19-12-08)

Recently opened, the Preah Khan Visitor Centre (funded by the World Monuments Fund) is a unique living heritage museum that explains the local culture and village life which was based around the wonderful temple over the centuries.

How the temple was built is explained on large displays, and there is also a specially commissioned map of the whole area. An exhibition by a local photographer documents contemporary life in the nearby villages, and Buddhists who still use Preah Khan temple as a sacred place of worship, making offerings at the central stupa.

Preah Khan temple is the second largest temple in the Angkor area and an estimated 70,000 people lived and worked there in the 12th century. Many local people claim to have ancestors who lived in the area during the reign of the great King Jayavarman VII.

There is no charge to enter the Visitor Centre, but you will need a valid Angkor temple pass.

For wonderful tours of the Angkor Temples contact: info@asia-adventures.com

The second Annual Kep Trio (Half Marathon, 10km Run & 10km Bike Ride) will be held over the weekend of Saturday February 28th and Sunday March 1st 2009. The Kep Trio is a unique fundraising event, created by running enthusiast and former Bridges Across Borders South East Asia (International NGO) volunteer Nikki Wise. The event will raise much needed funds for the nearby vocational training centre in Chamka Bei village. This area was one of the last Khmer Rouge strongholds, not surrendering to the government until 1994, as such it was often neglected and the villagers marginalized. The centre is training and empowering the disadvantaged villagers in a number of skills. The First Annual Kep Trio Event, Jan 08, was an amazing success with over 80 participants generating $54,000 in cash donations and delivering 50 new locally sourced bicycles to the community.

The Kep Trio 2009 kicks off on Feb 28 with the 10km bike ride, followed by a gala dinner at the delightful Knai Bang Chatt Sailing Club. The running portion of the event continues bright and early the following day. The route begins in Kep, a beautiful seaside resort, and passes through wonderful rural Cambodian scenery and finishes at the Chamka Bei vocational training centre, where runners will be greeted by the villagers and see first hand how the money they have raised will be used. The fun-filled two day event concludes with a village celebration including an awards ceremony and entertainment by local dance groups.

“This is an excellent event for both serious runners and fun-seekers alike. It brings them to perhaps the most beautiful part of Cambodia, with gorgeous scenery and fresh sea air” said Chouleang Yin the Operations Director of Asia Adventures, a tour company that can assist participants with travel arrangements. “In addition participants are really helping the poor villagers help themselves, they have had a really tough recent history yet are really keen to learn new skills that will help lift them out of poverty”.

For more information please contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Air traffic in 2008 dropped by 110,000 passengers with Siem Reap taking the biggest hit from the economic downturn, airport operator Societe Concessionnaire des Aeroports (SCA) says in its annual report.

While traffic through Phnom Penh International Airport increased slightly from 1.6 million passengers in 2007 to 1.69 million in 2008, representing 5.6 percent growth, numbers to Siem Reap International Airport fell from 1.73 million to 1.53 million over the same period, a decrease of 11.6 percent. Overall this meant air traffic dropped by 110,000 passengers in 2008 over the previous 12 months.

The figures point to a decline in tourism numbers, a trend backed up by recent reports from hoteliers who have said occupancy rates have dropped about 30 percent. Passengers into Phnom Penh climbed one percent in October 2008 over the same month in 2007, but fell sharply at the beginning of the winter tourist season - traffic was down seven percent in November 2008 over November the previous year and fell 10 percent in December 2008 over the same month in 2007. Siem Reap saw an even sharper drop in numbers at the end of 2008 - traffic fell 15 percent in October, 22 percent in November and 26 percent in December over the same months in 2007.

Ho Vandy, co-chair of the Tourism Working Group, said the government should give a green light to SCA to work closely with the aviation authority to devise a strategy to increase air traffic through Cambodia, adding that the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents and Hotel and Restaurant Association should work alongside airlines to help the tourism industry tackle the current downturn.

Cambodia has yet to open its international airport on the southern coast, which would add more capacity, but Ho Vandy noted: ‘I was told that Kang Keng [Sihanoukville International] Airport had been planned as the Kingdom’s largest airport, but I have no clue what is going on now’.

For excellent tours of Cambodia contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from the Phnom Penh Post (10-2-09)

Smiling Hotel & Spa a new established deluxe four star Hotel opened its door to tourists in December 08. It is built in a traditional Khmer style and currently has 150 rooms, when fully complete it will house a total of 236 rooms. All rooms come with their own balcony and are divided into 5 different quality standards.

The Smiling Hotel & Spa offers luxury and comfortable accommodation with international standards of service and full equipped facilities for relaxation and recreation in a friendly atmosphere. The Cambodian hospitality, the genuine smile and helpful Cambodian staff will ensure that your stay at the Smiling Hotel & Spa is an enjoyable one. The location of the hotel gives easy access to both the airport and the mighty Angkor Wat temples.

The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool, 2 separate Spa rooms for male and female, with attached with steam and sauna, 2 restaurants, 4 bars, conference rooms, a business center, and a fitness centre.

If you wish to stay at the Smiling Hotel & Spa when visiting Siem Reap please contact: info@asia-adventures.com

The iconic 1930s Central Market (Phsar Thmei) in Phnom Penh is undergoing a much needed $4.2 million renovation project, which has been funded by the French government, and will take some two years to complete.

At the official start of the works, ‘It is for you all’, Kep Chuktema, governor of Phnom Penh, told vendors and gathered dignitaries. The landmark Central Market is the first Phnom Penh market to have its own board of directors, organised by Phnom Penh Municipality, which will manage the market and work with vendors, he said.

The plan is to renovate and modernise the market, which has become dilapidated with old age. Originally built in 1935, the market was designed by French architects. ‘Central Market is an example for all other markets in Phnom Penh’, Kep Chuktema said. ‘The market will continue to be as famous as it used to be’, he said, adding that the new renovation will allow the market to stay open 24 hours because of new night security. He continued explaining that once construction was finished, likely in 2010, the market would adopt the slogan: ‘If one does not know Phsar Thmey, one does not know Phnom Penh’.

For interesting tours of Phnom Penh including the Central Market contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from the Phnom Penh Post (23-1-09)

The Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA) has elected a new President Ang Kim Eang. Here he discusses prospects for the Cambodian travel industry in these challenging times.

As new president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA), what strategy do you have to lead this association?
I have nine points that I want to focus on, but I’d like to start with the first three. First, I will press for training for members of the association. Second, I plan to cooperate with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to urge CATA members to sell packages abroad to boost foreign travel here. Finally, I want to strengthen our administrative capabilities within the organisation itself.

Recently, the Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said he would crack down on unlicensed travel agents. Is that a good idea?
We have been urging the Ministry of Tourism to take this action, so we welcome the decision. It is unfair for us to have to continue to compete with illegal businesses that do not pay tax. We pay taxes and obey the laws and we want a level playing field. Travel agents that have no licenses are earning a lot of profit, and they are selling low-quality products to tourists. In the long run, illegal operators will damage the reputation of the Cambodian travel industry.

How should the country be attracting foreign tourists given the recent economic downturn?
Asean recently held a summit in Hanoi where members pushed for a cut in the price of package tours and measures to improve services. Between 50 and 70 percent of total tourism spending is on accommodation, so we will try to speak to hotel owners and encourage them to reduce their prices.

What have you promised to your members who elected you to be new president?
I promised to cooperate with members while working to benefit them all. I will lead the association with transparency and fair play.

Asia Adventures is a member of CATA, if you wish to arrange your Cambodian travel arrangements through them please contact: info@asia-adventures.com

Edited from the Phnom Penh Post (28-1-09)