SUM MANET
Cambodia has urged Japan to carry out a feasibility study to develop a mangrove forest in Koh Kong province into an ecotourism site.
The proposal was raised in a meeting between Japanese ambassador Hidehisa Horinouchi and the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism on Friday aimed at strengthening and expanding cooperation in tourism between the countries and to improve outdoor sports.
Tourism Minister Thong Khon said the ministry asked the Japanese side to check the feasibility of the mangrove development in Koh Kong province and help make the mangrove area at the southwest coastal tourist destination more attractive.
“Cambodia needs more investment in the tourism sector such as in hotels and the creation of new and attractive tourism products,” Mr. Khon said.
He added: “With the potential of the ecotourism of mangrove area in Koh Kong province, there are about 50,000 hectares where development is uncertain and the number of tourists is small.”
“We asked the Japanese side to find out about the possibilities of community development of mangrove ecotourism to help develop the southwest area,” Mr. Khon said.
Mr. Hidehisa said Japan also pledged to boost the number of its tourist visiting Cambodia and suggested Cambodian tourists visit Japan.
Ho Vandy, secretary-general of Cambodia’s National Tourism Alliance, told Khmer Times that the private sector had promoted ecotourism and community-based tourism long before the government’s policy because it was his job.
“For example, the government issued the principle of homestays in 2008, but the private sector was already doing it,” he said.
About 20 million Japanese people made overseas trips in the first 10 months of this year.
Cambodia plans to attract up to 300,000 Japanese tourists by 2020 as direct flights are already connecting Phnom Penh to Tokyo, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
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