Tourism Indochina: Green Zone takes root to Siem Reap

Tourism Indochina: Green Zone takes root to Siem Reap

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-14):

A joint German and Cambodian regional economic development program to develop an agricultural “green zone” around Siem Reap at a cost of about $20 million is gaining momentum, with five districts selected for the project’s first phase.


Four German organizations – GTZ, DED, InWent, and KFW – have guaranteed 12 million euros for the project, and the Cambodian government has committed to contributing an additional 10 percent of this figure, or 1.2 million euros.GTZ program leader Martin Orth, based in Siem Riep, told the Post that the project would both beautify and economically enrich the target districts.


The simple objective, he said, was “to grow vegetables and raise animals for the platters of the tourists who come to Siem Reap. The main theme is to link the tourist boom in Siem Reap to the rural areas.”He pointed out that 50-80 percent of the vegetables and about 75 percent of other foods consumed in Siem Reap were imported and that Siem Reap performed poorly in passing on money derived from tourism revenue to the general population.


“The pro-poor impact of in-destination tourism revenues is estimated at 27 percent in Luang Prabang, Laos, and 26 percent in Da Nang, Vietnam,” he said. “But the pro-poor impacts are an extremely low five percent in Siem Reap.” “We want to turn the areas surrounding Siem Reap into a natural green zone and turn the poor districts into rich districts so that people can earn more money to better support their families,” Siem Reap governor Sou Phirin told the Post.


“This project, it is hoped, will help to expand economic growth in the rural areas of Siem Reap province.” Phirin identified the debut districts as Pouk, Angkor Chum, Varin, Svay Leu and Sot Nikom. He said that three of the chosen debut districts, Pouk, Varin and Angkor Chum, were in Khmer Rouge hands as recently as 1995-97 and that there was much underutilized land. Land speculation, especially in Pouk district, he added, was rapidly encroaching on agricultural areas.


“We are now surveying the geography in the chosen districts and developing the human resources to carry out this project which will be officially started at the end of this year,” Phirin said.The wide-ranging green zone program would also help develop infrastructure in the target districts with more paving of local roads, for example.


The program would aim to revitalize and promote the local handicrafts industry since most of the souvenirs and handcrafts sold in Siem Riep tourist markets were, like foodstuffs, imported.The green zone project had its genesis in 2005 when the Council of Ministers requested assistance from German organizations to help farmers reap some of the benefit from the millions of dollars that pour into the province each year from international tourism.


Joint program preparation missions worked together in 2006 to define the scope and areas of German support, and in 2007 an agreement was struck to jointly tackle the problem that too few benefits from the booming tourism economy were trickling down to the local population, especially the rural poor, creating a disparity between the booming Siem Reap urban area and surrounding areas that were among the poorest in the Kingdom.


The regional economic development program officially began in October 2007 and was to last for eight years, with a completion date for the first phase scheduled for September 2010.Siem Reap deputy governor Bun Tharith earlier this year led a Cambodian delegation to Germany to learn about green zone projects firsthand. He told the Post that Germany in the past decade had had success with similar projects in other countries.“People will be provided with business capital and technical training and will then be integrated into the basic community project for a sustainable joint benefit,” Bun Tharith said.


By Yun Vann and Peter Olszewski

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tourism Indochina: 10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple's World Heritage status

Tourism Indochina: 10,000 Cambodians rally to celebrate ancient temple's World Heritage status

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-15):

Cambodia - Cambodians celebrated the U.N.'s listing of an 11th-century Hindu temple as a world cultural landmark with a mass rally, fireworks and plenty of nationalist songs Monday.A crowd estimated by authorities at 10,000 — some wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with the image of Preah Vihear temple — gathered to cheer the recognition by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee a week ago.


The listing angered political leaders in neighboring Thailand, and sparked small protests by some Thais who feared it would jeopardize their country's claims to disputed land adjacent to the site. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, who headed his government's lobbying efforts for the temple's status, recounted what he called repeated attempts by Thailand to prevent Cambodia from unilaterally pursuing its goal.


He dismissed as unacceptable Thailand's demand for a joint application with Cambodia because that would mean Phnom Penh would have to share ownership of the site."Our cause is just and fair. Our achievement is of great significance given the tough struggle we have managed to overcome," Sok An said to loud applause. "It also further reaffirms that Preah Vihear temple is Cambodia's."


In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision that still rankles many Thais even though the temple is culturally Cambodian, sharing the Hindu-influenced style of the more famous Angkor complex in northwestern Cambodia.


Some Thais have been protesting the UNESCO listing near the border and demanding the eviction of Cambodians living on land near the temple. In response, Cambodia has sealed off access from Thailand to the temple, forcing many Cambodian vendors who survive on income from tourists to close their shops, said Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for Preah Vihear temple.


He said some villagers were surviving on food aid sent by the Cambodian Red Cross.Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has accused Thai opposition politicians of exploiting the cross-border dispute to advance their own domestic political agenda and warned they might endanger bilateral relations.

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tourism Indochina:Tourists to Asia Pacific spoiled by listing of eight new World Heritage Sites

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance. The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 states parties which are elected by their General Assembly.

The program catalogues, names, and conserves sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity. Under certain conditions, listed sites can obtain funds from the World Heritage Fund. The programme was founded with the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on November 16, 1972. Since then, 186 states party have ratified the convention.

As of 2011, 936 sites are listed: 725 cultural, 183 natural, and 28 mixed properties, in 153 States Parties. Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites to date with 47 sites inscribed on the list. UNESCO references each World Heritage Site with an identification number; but new inscriptions often include previous sites now listed as part of larger descriptions. As a result, the identification numbers exceed 1200 even though there are fewer on the list.

While each World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the state wherein the site is located, UNESCO considers it in the interest of the international community to preserve each site.

Tourism Indochina:Tourists to Asia Pacific spoiled by listing of eight new World Heritage Sites

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2008-07-16):

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (eTN) - Tourists heading to Asia Pacific this coming summer can now follow the trail of seven new World Heritage Sites, following the latest official listing by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Quebec, Canada on Monday.


The sites in Asia Pacific listed are the Kuk Early Agriculture Site (Papua New Guinea), Chief Roi Mata's Domain (Vanuatu), Preah Vihear Temple (Cambodia), Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Mauritius), Fujian Tulou and Mount Sanqingshan National Park (both in China).George Town and Malacca join two other listed sites, Mulu Caves and Kinabalu National Park, as Malaysia's new World Heritage Sites. The recognition marks the end of an almost 20-year odyssey, started in 1998 by Malaysia to have both sites listed by UNESCO.


Looking forward to the tourist spin-offs following listing of both cities, Shafie Apdal, Malaysia's minister for culture, arts and heritage, said the hotel, transport and food industries in both sites will further thrive with the world recognition. "Some of our historical sites are around 400 years old, especially those in Malacca. This recognition can also dispel the notion that we live on trees, or Malaysia isn't safe."Malaysia, according to Apdal, will be inviting foreign expertise to preserve George Town and Malacca. "It will be of value to experts conducting studies on history."


Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of Penang, said a committee will be formed so the state can fulfill and comply with the "parameters" of a living heritage and cultural site, in addition to the expected surge in historical and heritage tourism.The challenge now, is to prevent heritage buildings from being left derelict, or modernized into glass boxes," said Dr. Choong Sim Poey, president of Penang Heritage Trust.


In recognition of their listing status, the sites listed will now be eligible for financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites.


By Yusof Sulaiman

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tourism Indochina:Volunteer Tourism not only immerses the real travel Cambodia but also act as human

What is VolunTourism?

Volunteer Tourism also known as VolunTourism, in the broadest sense, Voluntourism represents voluntary service experiences that include travel to a destination in order to realize one's service intentions.

In a more refined and balanced approach, VolunTourism is the conscious, seemlessly-integrated combination of voluntary service to a destination with the traditional elements of travel and tourism - arts, culture, geography, history, and recreation - while in the destination.

Tourism Indochina:Volunteer Tourism not only immerses the real travel Cambodia but also act as human

Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-18):

Volunteer tourism “makes use of holiday-makers who volunteer to fund and work on social or conservation projects around the world and aims to provide sustainable alternative travel that can assist in community development, scientific research or ecological restoration” (Wearing, 2004,p.217). Volunteer Tourism becomes increasingly important for those interested candidate in sustainable travel and humanity activities during the gap year and holiday.


Cambodia is now one of the must-visit destinations in South East Asia. With its pristine beaches, ancient temples and exotic jungle, it's easy to see why its turbulent history is now becoming an increasingly distant memory. This beautiful country is at peace, and Cambodians are focused on building a positive future. Visit Cambodia and you will be amazed by the juxtaposition of vibrant cities, achingly beautiful scenery and famous historical landmarks like Angkor Wat. However, Cambodia offers far more attractions than temples. Go elephant trekking in the East, try snorkeling and dolphin-spotting in the seas surrounding Sihanouk Ville, or take in the sunset with a bottle of Angkor beer at a local beach bar.


In harmony with the humanity activities and be apart of social welfare acceleration, you can take a golden opportunity to experience the real travel in Cambodia and explore the deep culture of the people through many types of special interest tourism activities such as ecotourism, cycling tourism, adventure tourism, agricultural tourism. Specifically, a type of volunteer tourism can be a good way to learn about Cambodia and communicate well with local residents. The Cambodia project is located in the town of Siem Reap near the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site of the Angkor temples (http://www.globalteer.org/projects/cambodia.html). If you are interested in a sustainable travel and community development, why DO NOT join a volunteer program that would immerse you!


By CHHEM Samnang

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tourism Indochina:A new entrance of meter Taxis would facilitate an easy accessibility in Phnom Penh

Tourism Indochina:A new entrance of meter Taxis would facilitate an easy accessibility in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Taxi by Mr. Sam Nieng

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-21):

A new investment of Chinese-invested Global Cambodia Trade Development Co Ltd provides Taxi services provision in Phnom Penh city, Cambodia. A fleet of 12 shiny new taxis was deployed on the streets of Phnom Penh over the weekend by the Chinese-invested Global Cambodia Trade Development Co Ltd. The service provision would facilitate a more easy accessibility for local resident and international tourists with the affordable price and comfortable travel in the city. The company has set a two-kilometer taxi ride cost US$1 and 400 Riels ($0.10) for each 200 meters. Taxis offer a greater service in terms of comfort and safety along with lower fares.


Phnom Penh governor Kep Chuktema said at city hall that the city strongly supported the new metered taxis. While he acknowledged the complaints of Tuk-Tuk drivers that “it’s a free market and everyone should compete.” Under the company’s agreement with city hall inked in November 2007, Global would deploy 12 more taxis in the next couple of week and would operate a fleet of 60 vehicles by September 2008, said Lim. The company has invested $1.5 million in setting up the service and expected to operate at a loss of $150,000 to $200,000 in the first year, he said.


However, a new entrance of meter taxis would make harder competition for Tuk-Tuk drivers while a new substitution service provider has more advantages in the same industry. Global Cambodia Trade Development CEO Andre Lim said the point was not to compete with other services.” We just want to provide more choices to people,” Lim said. Even though there is a clear statement of Global Cambodia Trade Development CEO, it will have unavoidable effects for the Tuk-Tuk drivers. Despite the fact that meter Taxis have a better service, it is optional service for the customer and it depends accordingly to the customers’ preference. The more service providers the more choices customers could make and the better serves is offered.


By CHHEM Samnang

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia: I put my paws on Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត) is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia: I put my paws on Angkor Wat

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-24):

We tourists have multiplied, and for the ancient Angkor temples, in Cambodia, this represents a 21st century kind of stress that is spelling trouble for some of the ruins. As reported by Los Angeles Times writer Paul Watson in “Too much adoration at Cambodia’s Angkor temples,” about 300,000 tourists per year visited the site a decade ago; Cambodia’s government hopes 2010 will bring in 3 million visitors.


That’s a lot of feet stomping on centuries-old stones, a lot of dirty hands on aged sandstone slabs.And my paws and I are among those to blame. I spent three memorable days at the spectacular temple complex in 2002. I doubt that I purposely bumped up against the stones or finger-traced any carvings -– I’ve learned at least some environmental and cultural sensitivity over the years -– but color me guilty anyway; I’m sure that, inadvertently or not, I touched the wat (temple). Even if minimal, I left a little impact, particularly considering that in a place like Angkor, some of the temples have yet to be tourist-proofed.


With hope, conservationists will make headway at the site, helping to put into place plans that minimize future unintentional damage, and hopefully we tourists will try to tread sensitively. Ankgor Wat and the other temples and ruins of Angkor are truly among the world’s most wondrous sites. I wish for everyone the opportunity to explore them, and I’d like to see them again myself –- if we can prevent our curiosity from having a deleterious effect.


By Susan Derby

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tourism Indochina: West Meets East for 2008 Olympics

The Olympic Games are a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate. The Games are currently held every four years, with Summer and Winter Olympic Games alternating, although they occur every four years within their respective seasonal games. Since 2008, host cities are contracted to manage both the Olympic and the Paralympic Games, where athletes who have a physical disability compete. The Paralympics are held immediately following their respective Olympic Games. Originally, the ancient Olympic Games were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The IOC has since become the governing body of the Olympic Movement, whose structure and actions are defined by the Olympic Charter.

The evolution of the Olympic Movement during the 20th and 21st centuries has resulted in several changes to the Olympic Games. Some of these adjustments include the creation of the Winter Games for ice and winter sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with a physical disability, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes. The IOC has had to adapt to the varying economic, political, and technological realities of the 20th century. As a result, the Olympics shifted away from pure amateurism, as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow participation of professional athletes. The growing importance of the mass media created the issue of corporate sponsorship and commercialization of the Games. World Wars led to the cancellation of the 1916, 1940, and 1944 Games. Large boycotts during the Cold War limited participation in the 1980 and 1984 Games.

The Olympic Movement consists of international sports federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizing committees for each specific Olympic Games. As the decision-making body, the IOC is responsible for choosing the host city for each Olympic Games. The host city is responsible for organizing and funding a celebration of the Games consistent with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games, is also determined by the IOC. The celebration of the Games encompasses many rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. There are over 13,000 athletes that compete at the Summer and Winter Olympics in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events. The first, second, and third place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals; gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.

The Games have grown in scale to the point that nearly every nation is represented. Such growth has created numerous challenges, including boycotts, doping, bribery of officials, and terrorism. Every two years, the Olympics and its media exposure provide unknown athletes with the chance to attain national, and in particular cases, international fame. The Games also constitute a major opportunity for the host city and country to showcase themselves to the world.

Tourism Indochina: West Meets East for 2008 Olympics

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-07-31):

Newswise — The 2008 Olympics present both opportunity and challenge for hosting nation China, namely in the area of tourism, says Brent Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.


“China, like much of East Asia, remains very foreign to most Westerners, especially from the United States,” he says. “Visitors to its larger cities, such as Beijing, are usually impressed by what they’d not expected to see.”


Those unexpected sights, Smith says, include modern-designed office towers, high-rise apartment buildings, and fashionably dressed young people. “Similar in ways to Rome, Beijing offers a nice mix of the oldest and newest,” he added.


The question remains, however, whether Beijing will draw the number of tourists that prior Olympic host cities have drawn or will concerns about air quality pose a problem.


“Officials have addressed the air pollution issue by ordering a halt to construction and trying to reduce auto traffic. In addition, athletes, especially outdoor athletes, will be provided with masks.” According to Smith, China knows it has to make a good first impression in other areas also.


“They’ve addressed the stereotypically poor service issue by educating businesses on how to greet and interact with tourists, even publishing guidelines on Western culture, such as personal space preferences and ‘don’t ask topics,’” he said.


Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...