Sihanoukville Welcomes Surge in Cruise Ship Arrivals
A general view of the Westerdam cruise ship docked at Sihanoukville port on February 15, 2020. Photo by AFP / TANG CHHIN Sothy
- By Meng Seavmey
- March 13, 2024 6:15 PM
PHNOM PENH – Sihanoukville Autonomous Port has welcomed cruise ships 11 times in the first three months of 2024, bringing nearly 9,000 tourists and 5,395 crew to the tourism spot.
Provincial Governor Kuoch Chamroeurn posted on March 11 that the port welcomed three vessels in January, accounting for 2,949 tourists, seven in February, bringing 5,470 tourists, and one so far in March, bringing 463 tourists.
Ten ships had been heading from Vietnam to Thailand and vice versa, while the other was travelling from Malaysia to Vietnam.
The port had only about 20 visits last year. Deputy Governor Long Dimanche said the three-month figure showed the increasing trend for the future.
“Tourists would help promote Cambodia, especially Preah Sihanouk province, too when talking about their trip although Cambodia was not their final destination,” he told Cambodianess.
“The tourists intended to learn more about Cambodia, particularly in and through their stop at the port.”
Some tourists spent time in the province while others explored tourism sites in different provinces, including Siem Reap.
Hong Vannak, an economist and researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia's International Relations Institute, said the arrivals have had direct benefits for the port, including earnings from services along sites such as beaches.
“The priceless benefit for Cambodia is the tourist's experience that will linger in their heart and will encourage them to help build a good image of the country when they go back to their countries,” he said.
“The good experience will also be one of the factors when they will visit Cambodia again either by sea or air.”
He estimated that the number of tourists visiting Cambodia will increase dramatically late this year or at the beginning of 2025, considering the trend in cruise ships.
Vannak suggested the local authorities, especially police, should facilitate the tourists’ arrivals and their other trips in the province, ensuring that they will arrive at the port to leave in a timely manner.
In this sense, Vannak believes that safety, travelling convenience, and hospitality are essential elements to gain their good impression.
“We should bring them to the potential tourism sites despite the distance rather than introduce them to the areas that are not attractive. However, we must ensure their leaving time and safety,” Vannak said.
Cultural performances should also be included in the programs, he added.
