Grand opening a vote of confidence

The grand opening last week of the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, the first five-star hotel to open in Phnom Penh since the 1990s, signals a boom in the city for luxury development. While a number of deluxe hotels appeal more to leisure travellers, the new 200-room Sofitel expects to attract 70 per cent corporate and meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions guests, and 30 per cent leisure guests.

The hotel has Cambodia's largest ballroom complete with US$1 million worth of equipment, four restaurants, a sports centre with a gym, and tennis and squash courts, two swimming pools and a spa. An open lawn area next to the hotel will eventually house another 200 rooms.

Didier Lamoot, area general manager of Sofitel, says the Cambodian government is supporting growth in the capital.

'The Ministry of Tourism is listening to the private sector,' he says. 'They are working to help develop the hospitality industry. Developing manpower for this industry helps to reduce poverty through employment.'

According to Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism, the country attracted more than two million tourists last year and the figures continue to climb.

Last week, Air France began operating a new service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Phnom Penh after a 37-year hiatus on flight connections between the two nations.

Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France KLM and Air France, says: 'We are proud to be the first European airline to once again operate scheduled services between Europe and Cambodia. These three new weekly flights will promote economic and cultural ties with this buoyant region.'