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?