Cambodia hotels prepare to welcome more Chinese FITs

sun-and-moon-urban-hotel

The Sun & Moon Urban Hotel

CAMBODIA’s hotels are gearing up to better cater to the surge in Chinese tourists, especially FITs, to the country.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism’s latest figures, there were 81,032 Chinese arrivals in the month of February compared to 70,965 the same time last year, a 14.2 per cent hike.

While most traditionally came in tour groups, hoteliers have noticed a shift towards independent travel.

“More Chinese young professionals are staying with us. They are mostly couples who aren’t attracted to mass tourism and are familiar with the highest standards in the hospitality industry,” said Alexis de Suremain, co-founder of hospitality group Maads.

The group owns several boutique hotels, including The Plantation and The Pavilion in Phnom Penh, and Templation in Siem Reap.

This sentiment is echoed by Sarai Resort & Spa’s resident manager, Chea Sokhon, who said the hotel welcomed a rising number of “solo, couple and small group” travellers from China.

China also rose to become Sarai’s top source market this year, up two spots from 2015.

“To reach out to this segment, we will focus on digital marketing, including promotions on websites directed at this specific market, Chinese bloggers and joint marketing with Chinese specialist partners,” he said.

The Sun & Moon Urban Hotel in Phnom Penh is also seeing more guests from China, said Sambo Nov, the hotel’s executive assistant manager, adding that they will be offering more services catered to them such as having more Chinese speaking staff.

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