February 6, 2020
Mondulkiri Airport will aid plans for biggest eco-tourism region in Cambodia
Sok Chan / Khmer Times Share:


Mondulkiri province has been flagged for transformation into the biggest agro- and eco-tourism destination in Cambodia, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance

A feasibility study includes upgrading an airport for the capital, Sen Monorom, for domestic and international destinations.

Mondulkiri is Cambodia’s biggest and most sparsely populated province, measuring more than 14,000 square metres, with Sen Monorom 390 kilometres from Phnom Penh. It is home to three rivers and the famous waterfall Bou Sra. It also contains tropical seasonal virgin forests and protected wildlife areas.

Traditional Phnong houses contain jars more than 1,000 years old and gongs, among the most valuable possessions of indigenous people and for which the area is famous.

Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, said at the Public Forum on Macroeconomic Management and Budget Law 2020 that the government is preparing a master plan for Mondulkiri to transform into the agro-tourism destination of Cambodia.

He said the government will hire a foreign company to research and prepare the master plan. Last year a feasibility study for its future was conducted. Vongsey added that over the next 20 years, Cambodia needs to think about innovation and creativity in the tourism sector.

Koh Kong has major plans in place for a major eco destination hub too.
$50 mill of World Bank money, and more from other big players. It looks like an excellent plan to me, and just in the nick of time.

Koh Kong also has the first authentic forest Carbon Credits scheme already up and earning. Just the start.
NB, until now, I have always been a huge sceptic of all other Cambodian carbon credit plans - on the basis that no forest here could be guaranteed protection for 10 years, let alone the necessary 50.
Combined with this major eco-hub, fully supported by HE, the steady flow of carbon dollars could ensure protection here.

Personally, i do not believe any of this would be possible without the only effective forest force in the Kingdom
- ie, Wildlife Alliance. This is the heart of their territory and they are fierce about it. They instigated or are major partners in all of these Koh Kong initiatives. ^^
Hard-core realist vision, and planning, and execution - military style.

(sorry Mondulkiri for slipping Koh Kong into your thread.
i saw the words 'eco-hub' and could not resist giving CEO this little 'scoop' at the same time. I don't think the big plan has really hit the headlines yet - although it is no big state secret)






.

September 4, 2020
Growing ecotourism sector offers magic combination for rural development

The Ministry of Tourism has announced that ecotourism, especially regarding community tourism and resource development, is set to be prioritised as part of the ministry’s commitment to environmental conservation going forward.

The comments were made yesterday by ministry Permanent Secretary of State, Tith Chantha, at a press conference concerning the potential benefits of ecotourism in the Kingdom.

“Cambodia has many natural attractions. From forests and mountains to the coastal retreats, we have a lot to offer tourists,” he said.

“In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, we are looking to further develop ecotourism to reap the benefits it brings,” he said.

“Ecotourism is important, as it opens up Cambodia to a whole new sector within tourism, giving some much-needed diversity. However, it also is a method of tourism that significantly benefits local economies. As a result, this helps us in our preservation efforts, as locals turn to tourism rather than hunting or deforestation to earn an income,” he added.

According to a 2019 Ministry of Tourism’s report, the Kingdom saw 62,195 people visit areas specifically providing eco-activities.

Another report by the ministry also noted that during the five-day replacement holiday between August 17 and 21 this year, Over 120,727 domestic tourists visited rural northern provinces – renowned for their ecotourism activities – such as Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, and Kratie.

Elephant Valley Project manager, Jemma Bullock, says there is a growing market for eco-tourism in Cambodia.

“Unsustainable models of tourism result in overdevelopment and environmental degradation. Eco-tourism offers an alternative model that aims to utilise tourism to benefit locals and the environment. It also helps preserve the people’s indigenous ancestral land,” she said.

“Ecotourism helps protect cultural heritage and natural habitats by channeling funds into communities, who then are in charge of the environment,” she said.

“There is generally a misunderstanding of ecotourism as just visiting natural areas, however, it’s about more than that. It’s about engaging with the environment by integrating communities in the sector. A number of key players need to come together with the government and the environmental departments to execute ecotourism programmes and ensure sustainable development,” she added.

A tour guide from the Cambodian Rural Discovery Tour, who identified himself as Tola, said that a focus on ecotourism means long term benefits for communities while helping to protect the nation’s natural resources.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50760393/g ... velopment/

Skills Development Programme-Phase II for Northeastern Provinces Launched
AKP Phnom Penh, September 14, 2020 --

The Ministry of Tourism has launched the second phase of Skills Development Programme (SDP) for the northeastern provinces – Kratie, Stung Treng, Preah Vihear, Rattanakiri, and Mondulkiri.

The launching ceremony took place in Mondulkiri province late last week in the presence of H.E. Pak Sokhom, Secretary of State for Tourism and Head of the Hospitality for Kampuchea (HoKa) Training Programme Management Commission; Mr. Cheak Mengheang, Deputy Governor of Mondulkiri province; and Mr. Christian Volker Ide, Team Leader of SDP at Swisscontact.

The second phase of SDP (2020-2024) will lay stress on tourism vocational training on HoKa for youths so that they can grasp decent job opportunities and improve their living standard, said H.E. Pak Sokhom, adding that the programme will also increase human capital in tourism sector while Mondulkiri and other northeastern provinces have seen increase in the number of tourists lately.

For his part, Mr. Cheak Mengheang lauded the SDP underlining that it gives opportunity for the youths to find job immediately after the training and to start a small business.

According to Mr. Christian Volker Ide, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the SDP-Phase II will focus on four key programmes, including capacity building of vocational training centres, innovation lab, full-time training for vulnerable youths, and HoKa.

Under the SDP-Phase II, he pointed out, more than 12,000 people, including vulnerable youths and low-skilled staff will benefit from the four-year programme.

By C. Nika
AKP

By 2024 there wont be a tree standing in Mondulkiri. There will be a Tree Museum and guides will be mandatory.

Can't travel internationally for your end of year holidays ? Visit Cambodia's beauty spots. (While they are still there to be enjoyed.)

Amazing trip to Mondulkiri with Cambodia Amazing
Cambodia Amazing Trip Planner provides great camping experience in the country’s most beautiful tourist attractions.
Thien Phearin 04/11/2020 11:30 AM

MONDULKIRI--Cambodia's far-flung western province of Mondulkiri, an oft-unexplored part of the Southeast Asian tourism beacon, has received something of a shot in the arm through Cambodia Amazing—a tourism service aiming to bolster domestic tourism to support local communities and indigenous people.

Launching their “Amazing Mondulkiri” program, Cambodia Amazing organized a camping trip to Mondulkiri from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 in a bid to encourage more tourists—especially Cambodians—to visit the province and take in the unique landscape, according to Sa Dina, founder of Cambodia Amazing.

“Generally, Cambodia Amazing selected Mondulkiri for targeted camping trips because now is the season for local and foreign tourists to visit and experience its stunning atmosphere and enjoy the amazing potential this province has to offer,” Dina said.
https://cambodianess.com/article/amazin ... ia-amazing

Are you dreaming of home, JB
Only Ireland and NZ are as greener than photoshop green.

Mondulkiri Tourism Development Master Plan Set to Be Approved Next Year
AKP Phnom Penh, November 27, 2020 --

The Mondulkiri province’s tourism development master plan 2020-2035, which will upgrade the eco-tourism province to be an international tourism destination, will be completed before the end of this year and will be submitted for approval from the government in early next year.

The master plan was discussed in a consultation meeting here on Nov. 26 under the chairmanship of H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism. Under the master plan, Sen Monorom city will be developed into a multipurpose development area with various entertainment activities, and the airport zone in O’Raing Ov district will be transformed into a satellite city of Sen Monorom.

Mr. Chuk Chumno, Director of the ministry’s Tourism Product Development Department, told reporters that the meeting was aimed to gather more inputs, especially related to the sectors of clean water, electricity, agriculture, mines and energy, land management, airport, SMEs and infrastructures to turn the province into an international tourism destination.

Based on the draft master plan, other four tourism poles of the province are the eco-tourism area in wildlife sanctuaries, ecotourism and indigenous tourism corridor, Koh Nheak district urban zone, and border gate integration area.

Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary

Bousra Waterfall

Pou Tang Village

By Chea Vannak

(Photo: Ministry of Tourism)

Echo echo Hubba hubba
My kinda eco-tourism..

... with various entertainment activities, and the airport zone in O’Raing Ov district will be transformed into a satellite city of Sen Monorom.

... more inputs, especially..... of clean water, electricity, agriculture, mines and energy, land management, airport, SMEs and infrastructures to turn the province into an international tourism destination.