Last Friday, the Royal Government issued a decision on the appointment of the National Committee for the Management and Development of Community Tourism and Ecotourism, with Mr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, as Chairman; Mr. Say Sam Al, Minister of Environment, as Permanent Vice Chairman; and Mr. Veng Sakhon, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as Vice Chairman.
The government also appointed several senior government officials as members of the NCDCBE.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism on Saturday, it said the government’s decision to establish the NCDCBE was based on the experience of the inter-ministerial working group to develop community tourism and ecotourism.
The establishment of the committee follows the establishment of the inter-ministerial working group to manage and develop community tourism and ecotourism in 2017, with Minister Thong Khon as Chairman.
The inter-ministerial working group under the leadership of Thong Khon has accomplished many tasks, such as approving the implementation of the National Eco-Tourism Policy (2019-2030), organizing two national eco-tourism forums, designating November 19 as the “National Eco-Tourism Day,” and addressing many other practical issues of the tourism and eco-tourism communities across the country.
To boost the tourism sector, the ministry issued a directive on Friday to establish an inter-ministerial working group that will coordinate the implementation of various tourism projects developed by different development partners.
The ministry’s inter-ministerial working group will also assist development partners in implementing and evaluating their tourism projects to find better solutions.
First, the inter-ministerial working group must work with all ministries, institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, and relevant stakeholders to effectively coordinate the development of Cambodia’s tourism and eco-tourism communities and carry out other tasks assigned by the Royal Government.
Second, research and studies must be conducted to provide necessary information to development partners, national and international organizations so that they can adequately develop and implement tourism projects.
Apart from the private sector, the task force will prioritize development projects initiated by departments under the supervision of the ministry and attract and encourage development partners to invest in them.
After implementing various tourism projects, the task force will lead the organization of the annual National Ecotourism Forum and events to promote the development of tourism communities and ecotourism.
In connection with these initiatives, a memorandum of understanding was signed last Monday between the Ministry of Tourism and Wonder Pass Technology to promote the development of digital technologies in the tourism sector.
At the signing ceremony, Frederic Proulx, founder of Wonderpass Technology, said that his company will strive to provide digital solutions to boost domestic and international tourism in the country.
Meanwhile, Thong Khon said that digital solutions such as the Wonderpass digital system are in line with the ministry’s policy on smart tourism, which aims to promote the country’s tourism sector using digital technologies.
