Cambodia turns to experiences to revive waning interest from Western visitor markets
By Marissa Carruthers
/ Posted on 15 October, 2019 11:15
Hopes are being pinned on Cambodia’s growing collection of immersive in-destination experiences to revitalise the Western market, which is currently in decline.

According to the latest available figures from the Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT), tourism arrivals rose by 11.2 per cent in 1H2019. However, this was predominantly driven by Asian markets.

In contrast, Western markets have shown a downward trajectory, with tourist arrival numbers from Europe tumbling by 5.6 per cent, Australia by 7.7 per cent and the US by 0.8 per cent. And tour operators said they are feeling the pinch.

At the third Cambodia Travel Mart in Phnom Penh last week, VLK Royal Tourism’s product manager Mak Kun told TTG Asia that the company is now pushing eco- and community-based tourism products in a bid to re-stimulate the Western markets.

Itinerary options include seeing the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie, homestay options on Mekong River islands and in Kampong Speu, and touring the emerging remote provinces of Stung Treng and Rattanakiri.

“We hope that this will help the European markets to reconsider Cambodia (as a tourist destination) as they like such activities,” he said.

Prak Vuthy, MoT’s director of overseas tourism marketing and promotion department, said that the ministry has highlighted Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri and Kratie as provinces to promote as prime ecotourism destinations.
https://www.ttgasia.com/2019/10/15/camb ... r-markets/

Cart before the horse stuff.
It would be more sensible to develop authentic, well run, nature and adventure destinations first - rather than sell something that does not exist.
Apart from a few small private eco-tourism enterprises, and similar for NGO supported community-based tourist projects,
Cambodia has failed badly in realising the fantastic eco-tourism opportunities here.

Businesses interested in exploiting the eco-tourism demand have been far more common than businesses that actually understand and care about the environment, and about eco-tourism.
eg, Very poor tours to degraded areas without knowledgable guides - and generally a race to the bottom - is what killed the nascent eco-tourism business in Koh Kong. Hundreds of genuine eco-punters left town every day feeling disappointed and/or ripped off. Very few come these days.

Any genuine eco-entrepreneurs out there ?
' Make a miilion if you do it well...

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:02 am Cart before the horse stuff.
It would be more sensible to develop authentic, well run, nature and adventure destinations first - rather than sell something that does not exist.
Apart from a few small private eco-tourism enterprises, and similar for NGO supported community-based tourist projects,
Cambodia has failed badly in realising the fantastic eco-tourism opportunities here.

Businesses interested in exploiting the eco-tourism demand have been far more common than businesses that actually understand and care about the environment, and about eco-tourism.
eg, Very poor tours to degraded areas without knowledgable guides - and generally a race to the bottom - is what killed the nascent eco-tourism business in Koh Kong. Hundreds of genuine eco-punters left town every day feeling disappointed and/or ripped off. Very few come these days.

Any genuine eco-entrepreneurs out there ?
' Make a miilion if you do it well...

Yes! But the outsiders whom do understand and are qualified would firstly not be allowed to do what is suggested, and secondly would they want to.

Digital nomads and an easier visa regime for them, that is what is needed.

Plenty of people work online but are frustrated by wp.

Most of the contributing barangs were in KOW for the easy visas and ability to do small business.

Don't see many now.

AndyKK wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 4:16 am Yes! But the outsiders whom do understand and are qualified would firstly not be allowed to do what is suggested, and secondly would they want to.

Good questions/points, Andy
There are many difficulties for an outsider starting an eco-tourism venture here, not just regulatory.
But it is possible.
There is now a pool of qualified and enthusiastic Cambodians who would jump at the opportunity to co-partner a good operator from outside. That framework would assist the outsider biz person in many ways - including for getting the permission slips.

As to whether anyone would want to...
I would have thought so, and surprised that not many have taken up the challenges, so far.
The opportunities for eco-tourism in Cambodia are still boundless imo.

But you need to be capable and professional. See Franks post above ^^ on how Not to do it.

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 4:46 am

AndyKK wrote: ↑Thu Oct 17, 2019 4:16 am Yes! But the outsiders whom do understand and are qualified would firstly not be allowed to do what is suggested, and secondly would they want to.

Good questions/points, Andy
There are many difficulties for an outsider starting an eco-tourism venture here, not just regulatory.
But it is possible.
There is now a pool of qualified and enthusiastic Cambodians who would jump at the opportunity to co-partner a good operator from outside. That framework would assist the outsider biz person in many ways - including for getting the permission slips.

As to whether anyone would want to...
I would have thought so, and surprised that not many have taken up the challenges, so far.
The opportunities for eco-tourism in Cambodia are still boundless imo.

But you need to be capable and professional. See Franks post above ^^ on how Not to do it.

Again my point would they want too?


The Environment Ministry and Apsara Authority held events over the weekend to plant a total of 4,000 trees in Preah Vihear and Siem Reap

But again the big boys may be against you

Sorry Andy I am going to continue to be relentlessly optimistic
(i have to, about the environment, or i would shoot myself)

MAYbe.. This new push by the government is just what is needed.
MAYbe.. Official recognition at the top of this untapped opportunity, will provide green lights instead of roadblocks.
MAYbe.. The seemingly genuine clean-up of forest destruction that is happening in some areas will make a real difference.

You know, good things sometimes do happen, even in Cambodia.
Scepticism is certainly warranted but we also need to think positively.