Government to adopt community-based tourism development in national policy

• 20 November 2019
• Local News
• 3825 Views

Community-based tourism is being adopted as integral part of the Ecotourism Policy (2019-2030), which will support the private sector, particularly tourism companies, in developing community-based tourism sites.

H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism said on Tuesday, 19 November at the 1st National Ecotourism Forum, that the implementation of the National Eco-Tourism Policy will allow the stakeholders to help develop community-based tourism, facilitate potential communities and continue to help existing communities.

“I would support and encourage the private sector, particularly tourism companies, the CATA and PATA associations, to organise package tours and bring more tourists to the community destinations, although community services have yet to meet the full standards of the tourists,” said the minister.

In recent times, natural or manmade resorts have been enjoying a lot of support from local tourists. Phumi Phkar Trokoun, is located on a potential area in Saang district along the Bassac River or just 40km south of Phnom Penh. The manmade resort has created a huge lake, and investors build holiday homes and offer plots for sales on their 10-hectare plots of land, which are popular for Phnom Penh residents.

Kampot, which is well-known for its eco-tourism by local investors such as Dong Prek National Park, Trapeang Sangkae Community, Anlung Pring, Kdat Sanaka Resort, or Dong Te Resort, while the eco-tourism site at Areng in Koh Kong province has created a lot of jobs for local people from their services such as home stays, catering and hiking.

According to a report from the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia earned revenue of US$4.35 billion in 2018 from tourism, up 19.8% compared to 2017. However, only 1% of international tourists visited ecotourism sites. Through the new national policy, it is hoped that eco-tourism will improve community tourism services to meet both national and international tourist standards.

• Tourism and Travelling