Song Saa Collective set to open new resort
THE company behind the Song Saa Island investment has announced another $250 million vacation resort project in Siem Reap, to take advantage of the tourism growth in the historical site.
The ecotourism development project, named Song Saa Reserve, announced it was looking for an investment partnership yesterday, expecting it will become the largest ecotourism resort in Cambodia in the next three to five years.
The project, which is more than 1km from Banteay Srei temple and more than 19km from Kulen Mountain, will be built on 125ha, with 35ha of natural lakes.
It will include hotels, villas and other facilities related to the hospitality sector, said a company announcement.
Rory Hunter, CEO and cofounder of the Song Saa Collective in Preah Sihanouk province, said: “Since I arrived in Cambodia in 2005, I felt a deep sense of commitment to developing the country in a way that’s inclusive and aligns all stakeholder interests,” he said.
This is the second project initiated by Hunter after successfully developing the Song Saa Private Island Resort in Sihanoukville.
CBRE Cambodia director Sothida Ann, who is an exclusive sales agent for the project, said her company would launch marketing campaigns in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.
“So far, about two to three foreign hospitality investment firms are interested in this project,” she said.
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents president Chhay Sivlin said the increase of tourist arrivals has made the country face a shortage of tourism products, especially in remote areas.
She said the project will contribute to the tourism sector in the Banteay Srei temple.
“I support the project. It will provide accommodation for guests and benefit the local people,” she said.
Data from the Ministry of Tourism says in the eight months of this year, Cambodia received 3.9 million international tourists – up 11.7 per cent from the same period last year.
Siem Reap alone received nearly 2.5 million foreign tourists last year – up 11.4 per cent from 2016.