New $80k terminal opens in Phnom Penh in bid to boost tourism? Options

[HWinPP]

Capital's port to build new passenger hub

Friday, 15 January 2010 15:01 Soeun Say

PHNOM Penh Autonomous Port (PPAP) plans to build a new US$80,000 passenger terminal, its deputy director general, Cheap Thol, told the Post Thursday.

He said that the port is currently calling on construction companies to bid for a contract to build the new terminal.

The project will cater to tourists, who are currently gathering in nearby Titanic Restaurant before boarding boats to Siem Reap province every day, Cheap Thol said.

It is hoped a new 15-by-35 square-metre hub will clean up the look of the port serving the roughly 70 to 80 passengers a day that use the existing terminal. Foreigners will be charged $1 to use the facility, he said.

Ang Kim Eang, president of Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, said the project represented a positive move as part of the drive to improve and develop the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure.

“It is a good idea that would respond to the needs of tourists and eliminate unorganised crowds [around the quayside]. If the terminal provides a good and secure service, tourists will use it and come more often.

“[But] I am concerned that they may charge too high a price from tourists, which would have a negative impact on perceptions. But if the price stays at $1, then I support the plan,” he added.

Cambodia should also build additional passenger terminals outside the capital in provinces like Kampong Cham, Kratie, Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Kampot and in Kep Municipality, said Ang Kim Eang.

According to a PPAP report released to the Post Thursday, the number of tourists travelling through decreased an annualised 19 percent in 2009. Only 38,135 tourists used the port in 2009, while 46,910 did so in 2008, a drop of 19 percent year on year.

This decline was steeper than the overall decline in air arrivals to Cambodia – which fell just under 12 percent in the first 11 months – suggesting that tourists were increasingly choosing not to travel by boat, instead opting for more cost-effective modes of transport.

However, the total income which tourists paid to the port rose by 15.7 percent this year to $57,129 from $49,383 in 2008. “This resulted from the increase in the volume of boats landing at the port from new transportation companies,” said Eang Veng Sun, deputy director general of PPAP in charge of commerce.

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[gorshar]

But the boat sucks and at $35 is a total rip-off.

So now we have a new fad of passenger terminals with $1 entry fees.

Amazing....

[HWinPP]

That's what I was thinking about too. Looks like somebody wants to restart the boat services if they're considering building these terminals in Kampong Cham, Kratie, Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Kampot and in Kep!

[peaceofangkor]

The cost of these terminals have to paid by someone.

If passengers had to pay the fee through their boat or bus ticket it would be less transparent. Yes I know the PP SR boats are a rip off bit I am talking about a general principle.

Having said that I prefer not to have to pay the Airport Dep tax as a separate fee; put you have to pay these anyway whether in the ticket price or not!

[HWinPP]

Actually they don't need the terminals at all. And I don't even mean those completely out of the way places such as Kratie, Kampot or Kep.
Charging a dollar might seem more transparent, I'd prefer it in the ticket already, same as the airport tax.

Now it looks like you have to pay to enter a 7/11 and are forced to buy products.

[gorshar]

Exactly, terminals aren't needed. They are not being built to improve tourism, they are being built so somebody can charge tourists a dollar.

[maryb]

so so you have to use them or can you bypass them

[HWinPP]

You can still bypass them now. Hopefully it will not become compulsory to pay them a visit!

[alexUSA]

As a KhmerAmerican, I always have to pay the airport personell salary when I visit Scambodia!!!

[HWinPP]

How much do you need to pay? Do you come in on a visa or do you still have a Cambodian passport?

[HWinPP]

Here are some recent pics. What I've learned is that they don't charge a buck entry fee anymore but the once free shuttle bus to the regular station now goes to the Terminal and costs 2.50USD.





Prices


Visa prices!

[maryb]

This might sound stupid ,but what border are they talking about on ticket prices

[HWinPP]

The border crossing is the one at Poipet, from Aranyaprathet in Thailand.

On the second last pic you see the bus and taxi prices to different destinations in Cambodia. These will be the prices for 1 seat.

On the last pic you see the prices for visas.

Tourist visa, business visa and NGO visa (which is supposed to be free but has some strings attached).

[maryb]

Bus to SR seems cheap .timing not too bad ,what,s the drawback .Does this stop the tea money if the prices are on display

[gorshar]

Yup, $2.50 for a 10 km bus ride to go to a terminal you are more or less forced to use.

If these wingnuts had any sense they'd keep the bus free and bury the $2.50 charge in the ticket prices and if they want to feel transparent, as if they ever would, they could even include a disclaimer like "ticket charge includes terminal usage fee" or whatever.

Bus prices - it's not that cheap. It's 155 km and $9. That's pretty expensive, actually. Consider a bus from the border to Bangkok, 265 to 320 km depending on the route taken is all of about $6.50 under present exchange rates and that buses from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (315 km) of a higher quality than the ones used here range from $8-11.

Based on the quality of bus and distance traveled, I'd say $3 or $4 would be about right.

[HWinPP]

Bus to SR seems cheap .timing not too bad ,what,s the drawback .Does this stop the tea money if the prices are on display

They will still ask you for the 100THB 'express' fee, which you should not bother with... unless a full bus arrived just before you...

But otherwise just point at the sign, tell them that's all you're paying.

[maryb]

Thanks to Gordon,I have never paid any excess for visa,however th bus is much cheaper than a taxi,but of course not as instant,never used a bus ,just a taxi,at the end of the day I am a bit of a lazy sod so would always take a taxi,sent by Gordon of course .

[HWinPP]

I think that would be the most practical too.

[MrCurious]

ok, maybe i'm dim but why would a terminal at PP which is the west of Cambodia have prices from the border at the east side?
Apparently no tourists go to Pursat town
Best way to Poipet from Battambang is Bus Stop arranged taxi, $7 in a nice air con camry. Had one all to myself last time. My real question at that end is how to get from Poipet to Battambang. Last time gf had a cab pick me up there. I presume there's some way to link up with cab or bus if one walks past that circle you end up at after getting thru the checkpoint.

[HWinPP]

The terminal is 8km outside Poipet, Mr. C.

If you have better connections, use them. Don't forget you now have to add 2.50USD to each price in the 2nd last pic