Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap has introduced the Path of History tour, a permanent exhibition that presents archival material documenting early travel in South-east Asia.
The exhibition includes photographs, video footage, architectural drawings and artefacts that trace the development of international travel between 1900 and 1940. The display is available to in-house guests and is led by a Raffles historian.
The tour is accompanied by a new book, A Tale of Two Hotels – Raffles in Cambodia, by Andreas and Carola Augustin. The 160-page publication covers the history of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, including their role during the early period of tourism in Cambodia.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor opened in 1932 as accommodation for visitors to Angkor Wat, while Raffles Hotel Le Royal opened in 1929 in Phnom Penh. Both properties are part of the Raffles portfolio and have undergone restoration and refurbishment in recent years.
The exhibition and book reference historical figures and events linked to the hotels, including early travellers to Cambodia and cultural exchanges such as performances by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in Paris.
The Path of History tour is curated by Andreas and Carola Augustin and focuses on the connection between the development of travel in the region and the history of the two Raffles properties.
For more information, visit Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
