CAMBODIA: Open for Business!

Last Saturday, 22 November, I left Siem Reap for a trip home to the US to enjoy the holidays with my family. I had three nights in Saigon before flying back. For me to be gone five weeks during high season was a big decision but I have been working quite closely with the staff to ensure they know exactly what to do and how best to take care of our guests. If I was not confident they could do it, I would not have made the trip. Then, just as I arrived back home in Indiana what happens? Thailand turns into chaos by shutting down the airports. I can not believe these protesters would do something as idiotic as this as the long term effects on the tourism industry ($16 Billion per year) there could be massive.

I have been in constant contact with my staff by email and phone calls to make sure our guests are taken care of during this time. After all, it is only a matter of finding transportation or re-routing around Bangkok to get here because Siem Reap and Angkor Wat are open for business as usual. The staff have done very well, even going to meet one guest at the Thai border that decided to come overland rather that cancel their trip. We have had guests that have had to stay longer than planned which worked out well. We have only had one cancellation so far which is good and have picked up some new bookings from people not wanting to be in Thailand.

The reason for this post is to look forward about the situation in Thailand and what it means for travelers to SE Asia. My personal opinion is that one can easily make a wonderful trip to this region and completely avoid Thailand in the short term until they resolve the issue. Siem Reap is easily accessed through Vietnam which has so much to offer in terms of interesting places to holiday whether it is the scenery, the culture, the beaches or the big cities like Hanoi or Saigon. In addition Siem Reap is easily accessed through Kuala Lumpur and Singapore both by full service airlines (Malaysia Airlines and Silk Air) as well as budget carriers (JetStar or Air Asia). Laos is also a great destination but a bit trickier to get in and out of when avoiding Thailand. There is so much more to see in the region other than Thailand that maybe this will give travelers a chance to find some new discoveries. If you want to know more or need help planning your visit, please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. No reason for Thailand's problems to affect us in Cambodia.