Hello guys,

My friend and I would like to open a youth hostel in cambodia. We don't know yet the location, we don't know yet the concept. We just know Cambodia is our target!
We are working on this projects for several weeks but I think one of the best move is to ask directly to people living there what they think about this opportunity. That is why I am coming to you

Could you please help two girls with a lot of ambitions, energies, motivations and with the desire to build something in Cambodia?
We are from Belgium, less than 30 years old and we are open to listen to you

is there any legal issues? Is it difficult for foreigners to open a hostel in Cambodia?

Any advice is welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely

Sandrine

There already ARE places which call themselves hostels.

https://www.google.com.kh/?ion=1&espv=2 ... h%20hostel

"is there any legal issues? Is it difficult for foreigners to open a hostel in Cambodia?"

My understanding is that a foreigner can own the business, but without a a Cambodian business partner you cannot own the building or the land it is on.

Secondly, most business involvement with police and sometimes local authorities will involve a bit of extra gratuity.

I strongly suggest you make your decision on the ground in Cambodia. Many businesses fold here for various reasons.

Why Cambodia? Just curious.

Have you been to Cambodia long term? Do you plan to set it up and let others manage it, or will you relocate year round? Or only operate during the dry season? Do you know anyone who's maintained a business there for at least five years and turns a profit that one can live upon?

Do you have hotel and resort management experience? Experience running a business abroad?

I strongly suggest if most answers are "no" or "not sure", that you try another country first - somewhere you know, speak and read the language. Maybe Belgium? Buy a hostel there and see if you like the business. It is not a matter of ambition, it's a matter of experience.

Many western people buy businesses in Cambodia, the tourist businesses they buy don't tend to do well - very high turn over. Can it be done? Yes. Find someone from Belgium who's succeeded in Cambodia and pick their brain.

You'll get barang taxed out the ass if you aren't very astute to the business culture. Learn the language at a minimum or find a Khmer you trust completely before you begin looking at anything. People will sell you what you want, then you find they didn't own it to sell or it's a flat out ripoff.

I hear there's some great property beach side in SHV, lots of places for sale. One recently advertised is a guest house, all ready for turn key sale.

Maybe try that? Or learn why what i suggested above is a terrible idea. Search this forum. And the others.

Caveat emptor!

The market is very overserviced.
I would suggest you will need a minimum of $70k to survive a year.
Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, Kampot would be very poor locations.
I would look at places like Battambang, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Steung Treng, Kratie.

And if you turn over the page and read the advice written there, you will see this,,,,

Go for it, there is nothing worse than retiring at 65 plus, laying back in your rocking chair and saying, '' I should have done that when I was younger''. If it fails, you can learn from your failure and know better next time, [ it's only money you've lost ] putting it down to a experience that many of your friends will never have.
If you make a million $ , you can tell all those that advised you not to, that they did not know what they were talking about.

"We don't know yet the location, we don't know yet the concept. We just know Cambodia is our target!"

Until you are more forthcoming about why you chose Cambodia in the absence of a specific location and business model it will be difficult to offer specific advice.
Nobody is telling you not to do it, just exercise due caution. You should make your decision here and be prepared to spend a lot of time gathering information and finding a location. Most importantly you must be certain you really want to live here while running your business. Cambodia is not for everyone. Also, it would help us to know approximately how much you plan on investing.

what kampotbound said