Implementation of Small-scale Ecotourism Development Guidelines Disseminated

Ministry of Environment and the World Bank have jointly organise a dissemination workshop on the implementation of small-scale ecotourism development guidelines of less than 10 hectares.
The dissemination workshop held early this week was part of the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Eco-tourism Project (CSLEP) supported by the World Bank.
According to Ms. Salimata D. Follea, representative of the World Bank, the project aims to improve Cambodia’s management of natural resources and community livelihoods.
Acknowledging the importance of the project, H.E. Rath Virak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, emphasised that tourism is considered as “green gold” contributing essentially to national economic growth through job creation, income generation, livelihood improvement, and poverty reduction.
At the same time, it preserves natural, cultural and historical heritage and contributes to global climate change mitigation, he added.
The Ministry of Environment has identified six priority ecotourism areas in Cambodia, including Preah Jayavarman-Norodom National Park “Phnom Kulen”, Cardamom mountain, Coastal areas, Tonle Sap Lake Ecological sites, Prey Lang, and the North-eastern part.
According to the secretary of state, ecotourism and cultural tourism makes up over 10 percent of Cambodia annual gross domestic product.
The implementation of the small-scale ecotourism development guidelines will further foster sustainable growth of the industry in Cambodia.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press