Phnom Penh: Cambodia is reaffirming its commitment to developing sustainable and responsible community-based tourism and ecotourism, emphasising that conservation and development should mutually reinforce while ensuring equitable benefits for local communities. The remarks were made by H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the National Committee for the Management and Development of Community-Based Tourism and Ecotourism (NC-CBTE), while presiding over the first meeting of NC-CBTE, held on June 16 at the Ministry of Tourism.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, this important meeting was also attended by H.E. Dr. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Environment and Permanent Vice-Chairman of NC-CBTE; H.E. Chan Chesda, Secretary of State representing H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Vice-Chairman of NC-CBTE; along with members of the NC-CBTE from relevant ministries and institutions at the national and sub-national levels - totaling 130 participants.
H.E. Huot Hak underlined that Cambodia has gained international recognition for its work in community-based and ecotourism through the implementation of community tourism development models under the 4Ps partnership framework - Public, Private, People Partnership. This model encourages investment, requires local community participation, empowers local people, maximises benefits at the grassroots level, and upholds principles of sustainability and responsibility.