Cambodia to promote beaches

SIHANOUKVILLE Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism is targeting tourist arrivals to the country’s coastal areas at 6 million visits by 2020.

Of that annual target the majority, 4 million, would be domestic visitors mainly from  Phnom Penh.

The ministry is attempting to drive more visits to beaches in the south, either in Sihanoukville, or close by at beach locations and islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

Agence Kampuchea Presse quoted Tourism Minister Thong Khon saying the country’s coastal provinces would attract at least 6 million visitors over the next four years.

“In four years, 4 million domestic tourists and 2 million foreign visitors are expected to visit the coastal areas.”

The minister estimated the coastal areas welcomed 650,000 foreign visitors and 2 million domestic tourists last year.

Expansion of the economy and the construction boom in Cambodia is already having an impact on the coastal environment. There is also a shortage of professionals in the service industry including hotels.

Sihanoukville is the oldest tourist destination on the coast and is home to a thriving port and an airport. However, mega projects that will develop hotels, golf courses and luxury second homes for tourists and wealthy residents are in the pipeline. They will have a negative impact on the coastal and island environment if not controlled properly.

The tourism minister said he was worried that Sihanoukville province would be the victim of runaway development if there was no serious management intervention.

Cambodia’s coastline stretches about 450 km covering four provinces — Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Kampot and Kep.

Ministry of Tourism hopes to encourage international tourists to visit coastal areas and ecotourism destinations to take the pressure off Siem Reap, which dominates as the top tourist destination even surpassing Phnom Penh the capital.