The government is embarking on a $16M project to turn the Koh Ker Temple Complex in Preah Vihear province into an accessible tourist destination. Koh Ker, which lies about 80km north east of Siem Reap, is one of the four most important historical sites in Cambodia. Some say that this pyramidal temple was Javayarman's IV greatest achievement and it boasts beautiful artwork comparable to Angkor Wat. Building of roads, hotels and other tourist facilities are planned, and as soon as approval is received, construction will begin.

Cambodia is in talks with exhibition organizer Miller Freeman to stage the Asean Tourism Forum 2003 in Phnom Penh. Tourism minister Veng Sereyvuth says it needs a partner to help structure the event. The show is expected to cost US$3 million to stage. For the moment, Cambodia will utilise existing facilities in Phnom Penh to host the event, says Sereyvuth. This means conferences will be held in a five-star hotel while the opening ceremony and Travex will take place at the capitol’s cultural centre. The recently renovated cultural centre can accommodate some 600 people. Cambodia is also evaluating plans to proceed with phase two of its expansion plans or build a new convention centre from scratch. The annual event usually brings some 1,500 delegates. Sereyvuth also assures that transportation will show marked improvement by 2003. Phnom Penh will see a renovated airport with new runways, terminals and airbridges to handle the expected 1000 tourists per day. Some 11 airlines currently fly to Phnom Penh.

Sofitel Royal Angkor could not have chosen a better time to open. The luxury hotel opened last October, in time for the biggest business boom the Cambodian city of Siem Reap has ever seen. It now has 176 rooms and by 1^st November this will have increased to 239 rooms, comprising of 173 superior rooms, 45 deluxe, 12 junior suites and 8 one-bedroom suites.