New Bokor resort attracts more than 30,000 holiday visitors

PHNOM PENH, 15 May 2012 (Cambodia Herald) -More than 30,000 visitors flocked to the new Bokor Mountain resort in Kampot over the king's birthday holiday, putting a severe strain on tourim facilities, industry sources said.

"We've never encountered this issue before," Kampot  Department of Tourism Department Director Soy Sinop said, referring to shortages of food and accommodation. He said the shortages were compounded by inexperienced staff.

A private tourism manager welcomed the surge in visitors but said more needed to be invested in customer service at Bokor, which was opened by Prime Minister Hun Sen this month.

With only 1,060 rooms in five hotels at the renovated mountain resort, the sources said some visitors were forced to sleep in Takeo while others drove back to Phnom Penh.

Bokor also faced a shortage of restaurants over the three-day holiday, forcing some visitors to find their own spots. Yet they did not trash the place, Soy Sinop said, praising the visitors for using the rubbish bins provided.