Investors to build airport at Koh Kong

KOH KONG A Chinese-owned firm Tianjin Union Development Group says it is ready to begin construction on a new airport in Koh Kong province to serve coastal travel and tourism demand in Cambodia.

Phnom Penh Post quoted UDG’s Cambodian-based representative, Bella Zhang, saying the company has identified a site  for the airport project and has conducted a geological survey and initial design work.

However, she declined to give further details. But promotional materials of UDG’s DaraSakor Seashore Resort in Koh Kong highligh a plan for an airport that can handle up to 10 million passengers annually and accommodate popular commercial aircraft such as the A320s and Boeing 737s with potential to expand facilities to accommodate larger aircraft such as the B777 and A340.

The company claims it has an exclusive concession on airport operations in Koh Kong province as part of a 99-year lease it signed in 2008. The company holds a 45,000 hectare land concession in the province’s BotumSakor and KiriSakor districts.

The Cambodia Investment Board deputy general secretary, Chea Vuthy, confirmed that the government granted UDG permission to construct an airport in Koh Kong, earlier this year.

However, the company will not start the construction  until it finds a suitable investment partner, according to State Secretariat of Civil Aviation spokesman, Sinn ChansereyVutha.

The Koh Kong province is an increasingly popular gateway to Cambodia from Hat Lek in eastern Thailand, due to direct access to the port and beach resort town of Sihanoukville where there are more than 17 casinos. The border is at Cham Yeam is about 14 km from Koh Kong.

Located on the southwest tip of Cambodia, Koh Kong town, the provincial seat of Koh Kong province, is best known for its mangroves, rivers, and tropical islands.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism aims to encourage international tourists to visit coastal areas and ecotourism destinations to take the pressure off Siem Reap, which dominates as the top tourist destination even surpassing Phnom Penh the capital.

It is targeting tourist arrivals to the country’s coastal areasto reach 6 million visits by 2020. Of that annual target, 4 million would be domestic visitors mainly from Phnom Penh.

The minister estimated the coastal areas welcomed 650,000 foreign visitors and 2 million domestic tourists last year.

Cambodia’s coastline stretches about 450 km covering four provinces — Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Kampot and Kep.