Prime Minister Hun Manet at Khnang Phsar last week
The government has cancelled multiple private development projects at Kampong Speu province’s Khnang Phsar tourism site, including the planned construction of a concrete road up to the mountain, in order to provide the local community with the opportunity to manage the area and offer services to tourists themselves.
Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the cancellations as he addressed a March 11 a graduation ceremony at the Vanda Institute.
Last weekend, the prime minister led a delegation of officials from the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Tourism on an inspection tour of the area.
“I’ve cancelled some plans there, as after our inspection, we consider them inappropriate. Let's leave it to the community to manage,” he said.
“The tourism sector needs investment in infrastructure, but it should be done properly. If it is done wrong, it will be a waste of money. So, where should this investment go? Instead of building a road up to the top, we should focus on developing the area on the mountain itself. If not, then don't do it,” he added.
During a meeting with the prime minister, the head and deputy head of the Tang Bompong Nature Tourism Community at Khnang Phsar shared their concerns about private investment.
Manet offered his reassurances, telling the community representatives that private sector investment would only be a last resort.
“Don’t replace the community; teach the community to be self-sufficient. Don’t let entrepreneurs replace the community just to create jobs. In places where the community can make a living, teach them, help them and enhance their ability to earn their own livelihoods,” he said.
The government, through the tourism and environment ministries and other relevant institutions, supports the community by building “clean” infrastructure. This includes toilets, market facilities, water filtration systems and emergency shelters, and then ensuring that they are managed by the community themselves.
The government will also help to train the community on how to manage tourism-related businesses and provide high-quality services to tourists so they can become self-sustaining. However, there will also be a plan to collaborate with the private sector in certain areas, such as tour guides.
“In the past, the local people made a living by cutting down trees and collecting wood products. But when tourists started to visit, they stopped cutting trees and began providing services. Our goal now is to help them earn more, increasing the community's income,” explained Manet.
“There's no need to bring in the private sector to replace the local people ... but at least we can help with small-scale services like hospitality and tourism-related activities, and teach the community how to do it,” he added.
He noted that if any investment leads to lost opportunities for the community, it would be a problem, but limited investment can work, provided it is done in partnership with the community.
“If the community can implement it, we’ll prioritise it. If not, private sector investment will be at a limited level. We don’t want to harm the community in the process. We want to protect the environment and collaborate with the community to bring in more tourists, which will benefit local residents,” he continued.
Manet explained that these are the guiding principles for Cambodia’s tourism development, especially in community-based tourism.
Following his inspection hike, the prime minister instructed the environment ministry and the provincial administration to collaborate on conservation efforts and maintain the Khnang Phsar area, ensuring that it serves both the public and the local community.
Additionally, the two institutions will investigate the most efficient way to improve the water supply for both the mountain area and the communities at the foot of the mountain.
Environment ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya confirmed that environment minister Eang Sophalleth is currently preparing a plan to assist the community. This includes meetings with relevant agencies, and this week, officials from the ministry will visit the area for further study.
Khnang Phsar has been described as a “natural paradise”, thanks to its lush forests, steep mountains and beautiful meadows. It is also rich in diverse wildlife.
