Hotel Nikko Phnom Penh located in the upper level of the tentatively-named Japan Trade Centre, currently under construction in Chamkarmon district’s Tuol Tompoung II commune. SUPPLIED
Globally renowned Japanese company Okura Nikko Hotel Management Co Ltd has postponed the launch of Hotel Nikko Phnom Penh from next year to 2024, in the expectation that the Cambodian tourism industry would have recovered from Covid-19 by then.
The hotel will be located in the upper level of the tentatively-named Japan Trade Centre, currently under construction in Chamkarmon district’s Tuol Tompoung II commune, the company noted in a statement.
Set to be “the first major complex in the Cambodian capital to be developed by a Japanese company”, the centre will include office space, retail outlets and the new hotel, it said.
“This facility aims to act as a networking base for international businesses and to showcase a new form of collaboration whereby Cambodian companies deploy Japanese construction technology in joint ventures with Japanese firms.
“The hotel will offer 201 guest rooms each with a standard area of about 36sqm on floors 14-22 of the new building. It will feature a wide range of restaurants, including Japanese cuisine and all-day dining, and a skydeck bar on the 23rd floor where guests can enjoy stunning views across the capital,” it added.
Pacific Asia Travel Association Cambodia chapter chairman Thourn Sinan welcomed the hotel, stressing that it is well-known in Japan.
He said the Kingdom needs more famous internationally-branded hotels to enter the market to boost economic growth, trade and the confidence of investors and tourists from around the world.
“There are not many Japanese hotel brands in Cambodia – there is one Toyoko Inn in front of Koh Pich, which has contributed little to attract Japanese tourists,” he said in a jab at another property in Chamkarmon’s Tonle Bassac commune.
“But that’s why I need to have famous brand hotels come to Cambodia, it is better to attract Japanese guests, in the past there were very few brands from Japan,” he said.
Admittedly unsure of the hotel’s registration and permit status, Ministry of Tourism spokesman Top Sopheak underlined that, to operate in the Kingdom, the hotel has to properly register and apply for the required building and business permits, as well as the applicable licences at the ministry to provide tourism services.
He told The Post on November 29 that he welcomes all investments, especially in tourism, as long as the ventures comply with the pertinent laws, regulations and other requirements.
He said internationally-branded hotels could help promote tourism in Cambodia and lure in travellers from around the world, especially those from Japan.
