The grand Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Hotel on 29 March as the makes its debut. The hotel takes the stage in Phnom Penh as the first new five-star hotel to open in the capital in more than a decade. Its eight restaurants and bars, expansive meetings facilities, spa, sports club and executive lounge herald an emergence of sorts for a city that’s seen more stasis than dynamism in recent years.
H.E. Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense and Highest Representation of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, said that Phnom Penh is centre of politic, economy, tourism, culture, which is the heart of Cambodia and currently Phnom Penh become the main goal of million tourists to visit.
He added that building an international class hotel for serving tourism sector in Cambodia provide many benefits for country such as providing works to people which is huge contribute in developing economy and society in Cambodia.
“The inauguration of high class hotel is also a great result of government policy in developing private sector, which is the motor to develop all sectors,” he said at opening ceremony.
He highlighted that the Royal of Government has attracted private sectors to invest by building more and better infrastructure technology system and many airports in Phnom Penh, Sihanouk Vile, Koh Kong and other provinces.
H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Ministry of Tourism, said that a hotel is not only the place for accommodation but also an important location for business meetings, conferences and training workshops.
“The hotel is ready to welcome all local and international bodies for their future events, which showcase to the rest of the world our country’s greatest tourism potential,” he said at his opening address.
He added that Cambodia tourism has been considered as one of the priority sectors playing a role as the Green Gold of the country, which is contributing to socio-economic development, poverty alleviation and responding to sources of climate change.
Recently, tourism in Cambodia recorded growth in 2010 with a record number 2.5 million international tourists, an increase of 16 percent from the previous year and foreign exchange earnings of more than US$1.8$ billion, contributing to more than 12 per cent of the country’s GDP.
Cambodia is estimated that Cambodia to receive 2.7 to 2.8 million of international tourist arrivals in 2011, 3.1 million in 2012, 4.5 million in 2015, and 7 million in 2020 with around US$5 billion of revenue.”
“We’re on the cusp of something here,” said hotel’s General Manager Didier Lamoot. Located on the banks of a canal, with panoramic views of both the Mekong River and the Bassac, the Sofitel defies easy identification as one kind of hotel or another.
Its 45-meter swimming pool, ample pool decks and ambitious So Spa, a wellness concept that debuted in London last year, tempt the resort-minded. Meanwhile, the hotel’s executive quarters, Club Millésime, and its 1,800 square-meter ballroom are lures to corporate business.
Indeed, the hotel was put to the test during the recent ASEAN Travel Forum during a sit-down dinner for 1,200. The US$ 50 million hotel development is third in a group that includes the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra, where Lamoot served as general manager for five years, and the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra. The Siem Reap (Angkor) property in particular has won international acclaim as one of the finest resorts in Southeast Asia.
Source: The Southeast Asia Weekly, April 3-9/Vol.5, Issue 14, Page 8
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