Training-Of-Trainers (TOT) and Disseminative Workshop on ASEAN Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Standard

   In the framework of Mekong – Lancang cooperation, Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia in collaboration with concerned stakeholders hosted Mekong-Lancang Training-Of-Trainers and Disseminative Workshop on ASEAN Community-Based Tourism Standard at Sokhalay Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap city, Siem Reap provice from 9 – 12 May 2018. The opening ceremony was under the presidency of H.E. Thong Khon – Minister of Tourism, and co-ochaired by Mr. Peou Piseth – Deputy Governor of Siem Reap province, Prof. Dr. Bill Carter – Professor for Heritage Resources Management, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC); H.E. Mr. Li Jie – Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Sok Siphanna – Chairman of Mekong-Lancang Secretariat and attended by 150 participants from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

   At the opening ceremony, H.E. Mr. Thong Khon laid stress on the important contribution of community-based tourism to poverty alleviation, income augmentation, and climate change mitigation. Particularly, H.E. Minister highlighted the three Cambodian tourism communities that have recently received ASEAN awards, including Chi Phat in Koh Kong province, Koh Trong in Kratie province, and Cham Bak in Kampong Speu province.
   Dr. Bill Carter, Professor for Heritage Resources Management, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Australia presented on the development of the ASEAN Community-based Tourism Standard, stressing that CBT standard, as a tool to connect businesses to businesses as well as communities to communities, ecourages communities in improving their capacity to meet tourism demands and plays a key role in the sustainable development and porverty elimination.
   According to the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, there has been more than 50 eco-tourism communities that significantly contribute to its tourism growth in the approach of community – ecology – sustainability and culture development./.

Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism H.E. Thong Khon (Pic. 1) delivers his opening remarks at the Opening Ceremony

Prof. Dr. Bill Carter (first from left) and representatives of Ministry of Tourism, authorities and diplomatic dignitaries at the workshop

Overview of the Opening Ceremony

 Chien Thang