• Society

Hotel Bookings Jump as Sankranta Boosts Tourism

• By Heng Sreylin
• April 13, 2023 3:31 PM

PHNOM PENH – Hotels in Siem Reap have reported an increase in bookings as tourists flock to the province for Khmer New Year celebrations, with Angkor Sankranta the main attraction.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Angkor Sankranta in Siem Reap and the organizers have gone all out to prepare for millions of people coming for the event.

Hotel and guesthouse owners said booking numbers were rising even though prices were slightly higher.

Ouk Sereyvath, sales manager of the Angkor Hotel, said that this year, more than 90 per cent of bookings had been made since mid-February. He said the hotel had 193 rooms and 60 staff ready to serve guests.

Last year the hotel had 160-170 guests. Room prices were not very different from normal and most customers were previous clients.

On the other hand, the hotel had received more bookings from Cambodian than foreign guests.

Hour Van Leak, owner of The Sanctuary Residence Siem Reap, said the hotel had received about 95% of bookings since the beginning of March.

“This year, Angkor Sankranta is big. Therefore, a lot of tourists plan to come” she said. “Most guests stay for three days during the New Year.”

She added that prices would be raised during the holiday as the hotel provided incentives to employees who were working.

Ros Say, managing director of Viroth`s Hotel, expected that the number of tourists coming to Siem Reap would be almost the same as pre-COVID.

“But we still do not think the risk of COVID-19 is over,” he said.

Visitors were still coming although the numbers were not rising as quickly as pre-COVID.

Siem Reap Governor Tea Seiha has asked all business owners not to raise prices too high for food or accommodation when there are big events such as Angkor Sankranta.

He also asked the provincial administration to help promote accommodation to make it easier for tourists who wish to visit during the Khmer New Year.