Bay of Lights project to elevate Cambodia as premier destination

Canopy Sands Development unveiled its US$16 billion Bay of Lights township project at two distinguished industry events – the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum, and the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific Australia New Zealand – highlighting its pivotal role in fostering regional collaboration and elevating Cambodia’s profile as the next financial and tourism destination on the global stage.

These forums provided a prime opportunity to introduce Bay of Lights, a pioneering development reshaping the skyline of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Bay of Lights is poised to drive Cambodia’s urban evolution while serving as a conduit for deeper economic partnerships between Cambodia, Australia, and the broader South-east Asia bloc.

Spanning 934 hectares, the Bay of Lights project has already secured key international partnerships, making headlines with high-profile collaborations. Among them is a partnership with Australia’s Greg Norman Golf Course Design, which is set to bring Cambodia’s first USGA-standard 18+1-hole waterfront golf course to life.

Major global hospitality leaders, such as The Ascott, IHG, and Radisson, have also signed on, with the aim of transforming the region’s tourism landscape and delivering substantial cultural and economic benefits to both Cambodia and South-east Asia.

The project is primed to benefit from regional trade dynamics with its strategic location. Australia’s trade with South-east Asian nations reached US$183.4 billion in 2023, surpassing trade with key economies like Japan and the US. Buoyed by trade agreements including the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Bay of Lights is positioned to become a premier financial and investment hub, drawing global investors seeking to tap into South-east Asia’s flourishing markets.

With this strategic vision and robust partnerships, Bay of Lights is set to become a flagship destination for cultural tourism and international investment in Southeast Asia and beyond.

“Australia and ASEAN’s longstanding partnership, based on mutual respect and shared goals, has led to significant growth in bilateral trade across various sectors,” said Michael Truong, head of business development at Canopy Sands Development.

“With Cambodia serving as a gateway that connects both regions, the Bay of Lights is envisioned not just as city’s transformation but as a community that will sustain this economic growth and collaborative efforts in our region.”