SIEM REAP / PREAH SIHANOUK – On a historic Monday morning, the luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess docked at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, signaling a massive vote of international confidence in Cambodia’s tourism and stability.
The reception was led by Tourism Minister H.E. Huot Hak and Preah Sihanouk Governor H.E. Mang Sineth, who welcomed nearly 3,000 foreign passengers as the nation prepares to mark the 27th Anniversary of Peace Day.
A Floating City of 52 Nationalities
The Bermuda-registered vessel, measuring an impressive 288 meters in length, arrived early Monday from Vietnam carrying:
- 2,850 Passengers from 52 different countries.
- 1,059 Crew Members from 59 nationalities.
- Key Markets: Australia (824 tourists) and the United States (797 tourists) represented the largest groups on board.
Tourism as a Fruit of Peace
Minister H.E. Huot Hak emphasized that the arrival of such a prestigious vessel is not a coincidence. “It reflects absolute confidence in Cambodia’s peace, political stability, and development,” he stated. He noted that the visit directly boosts the national economy and increases household incomes for local residents in Preah Sihanouk province.
Future-Proofing the Deep-Sea Port
Governor H.E. Mang Sineth highlighted the province’s role as a multi-purpose economic hub. He pointed to the Royal Government’s strategic three-phase development plan (2024–2030) for the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
- Current Goal: Increasing port depth to 17.5 meters.
- Objective: To accommodate the world’s largest international vessels, further opening Cambodia to global trade and luxury tourism.
