With the steep decline in tourist numbers throughout Cambodia, there are questions over how businesses will keep their heads above water. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, a number of businesses around Cambodia are feeling the effects on their business. But one usually quieter town seems to be booming: Kampot. expatriates and locals alike have decided to head to one of the country’s most renowned beauty spots.

 

Kampot is a small, clean town built around the Prek Toek Chhou River. This river compared with the Tonle Sap is relatively clean and people even swim in it. The town also boasts lots of attractive French architecture dating back to the first half of the 20th century and, until the 1950s, Kampot was Cambodia’s main port.

 

These days the town is full of a variety of lively bars and restaurants and even hosts big events attracting international DJs. That, along with the natural beauty of the place with its waterfalls, mountain views and national parks, leave it clear as to why people are flocking there. Johny Kort owner of Yellow Sun Hostel, Kampot, said: “Since the re-opening of a lot of bars and restaurants in Kampot, we have had a lot of customers both local and Western check into our hostel. We have adapted the business so that it stays profitable but also makes things affordable for the people staying with us.”

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50743468/is-kampot-the-kingdoms-latest-hotspot/

Hopefully they don't let the Chinese ruining it, as they ruined Snooky already to the max

6 minutes ago, Deli said:

Hopefully they don't let the Chinese ruining it, as they ruined Snooky already to the max

As it stands, the Chinese have ruined tourism worldwide already. 

Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are destined to become Chinese holiday camps, it’s only a matter of time. 

When the Chinese invaded Snookie, the hipsters there moved to Kampot.  It has been growing ever since.   The best pepper comes from there.    

Someone I know visited Kampot last week and told me many of the bars and restaurants were closed. Advertising BS.

Kampot no casinos = no chinese..

2 hours ago, 4737 Carlin said:

Someone I know visited Kampot last week and told me many of the bars and restaurants were closed. Advertising BS.

That is what I thought. Kampot relies heavily on Western tourists, much less on expats. 

I have friends in Kampot, and they showed me in many video chats that while some places are closed, many others are open and full. The lack of tourists is obvious, nevertheless the expats there are not missing anything. Many of the expats which the Chinese did push out of Sihanoukville did move to Kampot.

Also the new normal there seems to be the old normal, no mask or distancing in minimarts, restaurants, bars. Nevertheless no Covid-19.

Kampot is on top of my list of places to check out as soon as the land borders are open. 

51 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

That is what I thought. Kampot relies heavily on Western tourists, much less on expats. 

Must be the shortage of running water.

A friend of mine has the Camp Potes Bar , good music and cocktails.,He love it there.

1 hour ago, Traubert said:

Must be the shortage of running water.

Utter nonsense ! 
There is no shortage of running water in Kampot, not at all. There's even a nice river going through the city.

Racist posts and replies removed.  

Continue and face a suspension.  

 

11 hours ago, twocatsmac said:

As it stands, the Chinese have ruined tourism worldwide already. 

Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia are destined to become Chinese holiday camps, it’s only a matter of time. 

Not sure about Vietnam, relations with china are not so rosy.

On 7/10/2020 at 9:31 AM, geovalin said:

Since the re-opening of a lot of bars and restaurants in Kampot,

Interesting, to my knowledge bars and restaurants have never been closed - many have remained open here in Siem Reap and Battambang, other than those dependent solely on foreign tourists which are still closed. Never been an alcohol ban here in Cambodia.