Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

This is where our community discusses almost anything! While we're mainly a Cambodia expat discussion forum and talk about expat life here, we debate about almost everything. Even if you're a tourist passing through Southeast Asia and want to connect with expatriates living and working in Cambodia, this is the first section of our site that you should check out. Our members start their own discussions or post links to other blogs and/or news articles they find interesting and want to chat about. So join in the fun and start new topics, or feel free to comment on anything our community members have already started! We also have some Khmer members here as well, but English is the main language used on CEO. You're welcome to have a look around, and if you decide you want to participate, you can become a part our international expat community by signing up for a free account.
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

Interesting article from the Globe about the rise of eco-tourism ventures in Mondulkiri, and how some operators are exploiting this greeny tourist trend.

Taking a walk on the wild side with Mondulkiri’s eco-tourism outfits
By: Claire Knox - POSTED ON: August 17, 2017 | Cambodia
But according to SVC [Sam Veasna Center] sales and marketing advisor Alison Curry, all of the good work they and other like-minded organisations, such as Mondulkiri’s Elephant Valley Project (EVP) are doing to promote responsible, sustainable travel is at risk due to a recent proliferation of copycat operators spreading false information and “hawkers selling a great story”.

“As well as boasting such incredible biodiversity, Mondulkiri is also one of the top five critical areas most at risk globally. Travellers come here specifically for ‘nature based’ tourism experiences and operators have realised that the tag of ‘conservation’ is a major draw for visitors who increasingly want authentic experiences that respect people and the planet, and are using them in their advertising slogans. It makes it incredibly hard for a tourist to establish what is genuine and what is just selling an idea with no back up,” she said.

What’s more, copycat businesses were not just diluting the work of reputable tour operators such as SVC, but were actually harming the communities they claimed to be assisting, Curry said.
http://sea-globe.com/mondulkiri-eco-tourism-outfits/
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
siliconlife
Expatriate
Posts: 901
Joined: Thu May 29, 2014 6:29 pm
Reputation: 542
Palau Island

Re: Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by siliconlife »

Is it me, or was there always something off about putting "eco" and "tourism" together at the same time?
User avatar
Cruisemonkey
Expatriate
Posts: 1162
Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:16 pm
Reputation: 364
Vietnam

Re: Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by Cruisemonkey »

siliconlife wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2017 7:14 pm Is it me, or was there always something off about putting "eco" and "tourism" together at the same time?

To me ecotourism means not littering. My resort has to have: 24 hr. electricity, air con, hot water, internet, cable TV channels, bacon at the breakfast buffet, a really nice swimming pool ... and where I can rent a moto.

Fuck 'roughing it' in the jungle or being eaten alive by mosquitoes and sand fleas in shack on the beach. People who go to ecotourist places are probably dumb enough to contribute to Sea Shepherd... and pay to offset their carbon footprint when they buy air tickets.
You could be next.
Jim Gil
Expatriate
Posts: 89
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:05 pm
Reputation: 51
Great Britain

Re: Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by Jim Gil »

^^ The only way this ever works is by attracting enough tourists who can afford to drop a couple of thou $$ into a community owned and run lodge or similar. If they can make more from tourists than poaching, logging or working the land then anybody would do that as it's easier work.
Unfortunately if Cambodia wanted to go down that route they are 10 to 15 years too late as the amount of poaching and deforestation (for the chinese markets) means they can't compete, even in Asia, why would you want to go to Mondulkiri/Rattanakiri when their are areas in Borneo (for e.g.) that are far bigger and more diverse?
Barang chgout
Expatriate
Posts: 3065
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 11:36 am
Reputation: 677

Re: Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by Barang chgout »

Poaching is often for the local market.
"Roughing it" in ones 5 star hotel almost guarantees, not seeing anything, perhaps CM should stay at home?

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

User avatar
hanno
Expatriate
Posts: 6780
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 12:37 pm
Reputation: 3146
Location: Phnom Penh
Contact:
Germany

Re: Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by hanno »

Barang chgout wrote: Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:35 am Poaching is often for the local market.
"Roughing it" in ones 5 star hotel almost guarantees, not seeing anything, perhaps CM should stay at home?
Not necessarily, look at some of the lodges in Africa.
Jim Gil
Expatriate
Posts: 89
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:05 pm
Reputation: 51
Great Britain

Re: Eco-tourism in Mondulkiri; copy-cats and exploitation

Post by Jim Gil »

I've just read my post back and it could come across as slagging off the Mondulkiri/Rattanakiri area, I'm not I haven't been up there for a long time but I enjoyed my time there
I remember that road from Stung Trent to Banlung(2003), I was stupid enough to do it in the rainy season and then even stupider to travel on to Sen Monorom, they were up there with the worst roads ive ever ridden on. It was also the best experience I had. Tavelling with a mate we hired 2 motodops at a lakeside guesthouse in Phnom Penh for a month and hired a couple of big bikes then went crazy. I think I spent $4000 that month but worth every bit of it.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: barang_TK, Bing [Bot], Deefer, Kammekor, Khmu Nation, laredo, phuketrichard, SINUS, Spigzy, Username Taken, WildAlaskaKen, xandreu, Zyzz and 1573 guests