Is Kampot Cambodia's Latest Hotspot?

10/07/2020

IS KAMPOT CAMBODIA"S LATEST HOTSPOT?

With the steep decline in tourist numbers throughout Cambodia, there are questions over how businesses will keep their heads above water.

Due to the devastating impact of the pandemic, like Thailand probably no sector in Cambodia has been harder hit than hospitality entertainment and nightlife.

But one usually quieter town seems to be booming: Kampot. expatriates and locals alike have decided to head to one of the country’s most renowned beauty spots.

Kampot is a small, clean town built around the Prek Toek Chhou River. This river compared with the Tonle Sap is relatively clean and people even swim in it. The town also boasts lots of attractive French architecture dating back to the first half of the 20th century and, until the 1950s, Kampot was Cambodia’s main port.

These days the town is full of a variety of lively bars and restaurants.That, along with the natural beauty of the place with its waterfalls, mountain views and national parks, leave it clear as to why people are flocking there.

Local businesses are attracting crowds from all parts of the country whether it be Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and even the islands off the coast of Sihanoukville. Sihanoukville is one of the main sources after the Chinese “takeover”, the relentless building and destruction has left the beach town with much poor infrastructure.

From 2017 to May 2020, approximately 1,355 construction projects were approved, occupying 13,107,209 square metres.

Lots of expats who before enjoyed living in the-once sleepy beach town of Sihanoukville are now looking for a change.

Soy Sinol, director of Kampot Provincial Tourism Department, said: “Tourism started to pick up here from mid-April and has carried on doing so. Reasons include implementing safety rules throughout this pandemic and the safety of the town. “It is fruit season and people love our durian. People also love to come to Kampot for the fresh aquatic food. People love to visit our tourist sites such as Toek Chhou and Bokor Mountain,” he added.

When borders re-open, it is hoped tourists will come back and help one of the country’s pillar industries.