The Bay of Lights development project celebrated a momentous achievement with the grand opening of the Summer Bay Beach Club and Cabins, redefining the tourism experience in Sihanoukville. Located within the Bay of Lights, this resort has already garnered immense popularity, welcoming over 16,000 visitors and securing 3,000 cabin bookings since its soft opening on September 8.
The grand opening ceremony, graced by the presence of Governor of Preah Sihanouk, His Excellency Kouch Chamreoun, and Permanent Secretary of State for the Ministry of Tourism, His Excellency Tith Chantha, highlighted the project’s potential to position Sihanoukville as a global tourism hub and positively impact the local economy and job market.
Spokesperson of Bay of Lights, Edward Lee, outlined the vision during the grand opening, emphasizing the blend of leisure and local economic advancement. Lee revealed exciting plans for the Summer Bay Beach Club & Cabins to become the first beachfront property managed by ‘Ascott under the Préférence Hotel collections,’ signaling the project’s ambition to lead not only in Cambodian tourism but also in the broader Indochina region.
Beyond the impressive resort launch, Bay of Lights has already made significant strides in transforming Sihanoukville into a key player in regional tourism. With an overall foot traffic of 32,500 at the Bay of Lights and a remarkable 61.47% increase in tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, the city is on a trajectory of rapid growth in the tourism sector.
The success continued with notable events like Skyfest, Cambodia’s first international kite festival, and the Nightmare Carnival, the first beachfront Halloween village in Cambodia. These events attracted thousands of visitors, contributing to the burgeoning reputation of Sihanoukville as a vibrant and diverse tourist destination.
Looking ahead, Bay of Lights has exciting plans for 2024, including the inaugural “Element” concert series on December 30th and 31st, showcasing Cambodia as a unique destination for tourism and an emerging hub for international art and music. The project also anticipates the completion of captivating attractions such as the Nitro Race Track and the country’s first USGA-standard golf course, designed by golf legend Greg Norman.
