Dear Travel Partners,

We are pleased to provide you with the following news and hotel updates for Cambodia... 

 Khmer New Year

Khmer New Year takes place over 3 days, from 14th - 16th April 2015. During this time, please note the following closures and special notices:

Phnom Penh:

• The Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda is closed, photos will be possible only from the outside
• National museum is closed, photos will be possible only from the outside
• The streets will be crowded

Siem Reap:

• Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm might be closed temporarily
• The streets will be very crowded because the main festival in Cambodia will be in Siem Reap, this will have an effect on transportation times (e.g. last year a ride to the airport that normally takes 15-20 minutes can take up to 2.5 hours)
• Guides and drivers have to be flexible with itineraries and arrival and departure transfers. 

Alila to open new Luxury Resort in Sihanoukville at the end of 2016

At much as $1 billion in tourism investment is going into Cambodia's 443 kilometer coast, filling a hotel and resort gap between Thailand and Vietnam. Etienne Chenevier, a veteran French developer in Cambodia, is joining with Alila Hotels & Resorts to build a five-star hotel and villa resort on Koh Russey Island, off the coast near Sihanoukville. The first phase of this $70 million project opens this December.

The resort plans indicate a total of 143 villas, with 150 rooms.   It will be a very green place; a Singapore-based Thai landscape architect will be overseeing the selective clearing and planting. Between the villas as much of the existing vegetation will be kept as possible.

With direct international flights planned to Sihanoukville from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in the future, beach tourism in Cambodia looks like it may soon see a significant rise in demand.

US First Lady to visit Cambodia this month

Two years after Barack Obama's tense visit to Phnom Penh, Michelle Obama and their two teenage daughters are to visit Siem Reap next week (21st-22nd March) to promote the First Lady's 'Let Girls Learn' initiative. 

Many Cambodian residents hope that the US First Lady will speak publicly and visit the Angkor Wat temples - two things that the US President did not do during his visit to the country.

 Siem Reap residents are bracing for roadblocks, increased safety checks and government-mandated clearing of street children and cleaning of garbage.  Note, some of the temples may be closed temporarily to tourists during the First Lady's visit, guides will be flexible on these dates with alternative sightseeing opportunities for guests.

If you have any questions or require more detailed information on the articles above, please contact your Sales Manager in charge.

Sincerely,

Your Focus Asia Team