Khmer New Year Pulls Local Tourists To Siem Reap

 Khmer New Year continues to be a major draw for tourists, particularly local ones, who use the occasion to celebrate Khmer heritage  in the cultural capital. The Angkor Sankranti festivities, hosted by the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia, include special holiday games as well as arts and music performances. Last year’s festivities pulled in one million visitors to Siem Reap, the majority of which were Cambodians. The tourists brought in some $70 million to the city, the Khmer Times reported on April 6. 

Foreigners, however, still enjoy Siem Reap during the new year. Last year, 27,000 foreigners visited the city, and hotel operators told the Khmer Times this year looks to be no different. Hotels and guest houses are already fully booked over a week before the holiday, with some rooms over the $100/night mark. “I see that the number of room bookings is much more active this year compared to last year,” Hour Bunchhay, owner of the Nita Byvo Luxury Boutique Hotel, told the newspaper.  “I’m selling rooms to my customers at $130 per night and all of them are foreigners,” he said. But I am keeping my prices stable.” 

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