#Cambodia - Unesco, ministry vow stronger cooperation

Unesco pledged to continue working closely with the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism to promote the conservation and sustainable development of Cambodia’s ecotourism sector and support government plans to develop tourism sites in Siem Reap province, including the Angkor Archaeological Park.

During a meeting with Thong Khon, the Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Sardar Umar Alam, Unesco’s new representative to Cambodia, said that, under the leadership of the Cambodian government, his organisation is collaborating successfully with the ministries of Tourism and Culture, the Apsara Authority and the World Tourism Organisation.

He promised to deepen this collaboration to make the Angkor Archaeological Park and surrounding areas, including the Tonle Sap and Prek Toal, into top tourist attractions and biodiversity areas in the region.

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Mr Umar Alam also provided suggestions on improving the conservation of the Tonle Sap, Kulen Mountain, Preah Vihear Temple, Koh Ker, Beng Mealea, and Sambor Prei Kuk, which, he said, can be added to travel packages that include ecotourism sites in the country’s southwest and northeast.

Mr Umar Alam said his organisation will continue to organise programmes to promote the development of Cambodia’s ecotourism and culture sectors, while supporting the Integrated Development Master Plan in Siem Reap, Angkor and surrounding areas.

Source - Khmer Times

Travel plans to Laos ?

Laos has announced it will begin offering electronic visas (eVisa) to foreign tourists and travelers from June this year.

Establishment of the eVisa program will commence in mid-2019, according to a Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs notice issued earlier this month dated March 11.

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The move comes as the government takes steps to modernize and ensure visa procedures are faster and more convenient for tourist visa applicants, according to the notice.

It is also another means by which the government hopes to attract more tourism to the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular office is working with all other ministries and departments to ensure the comprehensive and timely development of the eVisa program.

The eVisa program, it is hoped, will allow foreign visitors greater access to information and more convenience in visa processing, and will assist in making the country more widely known among tourists.

It comes as policymakers and the private sector seek to capitalize on the benefits of improved connectivity and widen the range of offerings to attract valuable tourism and travel-related income and investment.

Course -  The Laotian Times

Sky high at #Myanmar’s Inle Lake

Myanmar’s Inle Lake has enchanted tourists for decades with its floating gardens and graceful leg-rowing fisherman, but experts warn it’s drying up and urgent action is needed to avoid disaster. Each year around 200,000 foreigners and one million locals visit Inle.

Many criss-cross the lake on small wooden boats to visit stilted villages of the Intha ethnic minority, others glide overhead in hot-air balloons.

But there is a darker side to this seemingly bucolic idyll, says Martin Michalon – a researcher into the impact of development on the lake – as farmers race to produce higher yields, pesticides and fertilisers slowly poison the water.

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Source - PhnomPenhPost

#Cambodia - Japanese eye hospitality investment in Kampot province

Kampot province welcomed 1.6 million tourists last year.

Japanese investors announced yesterday their intention to invest in a bungalow development covering four hectares of land in Kampot province.

The delegation of Japanese businesspeople announced their plans during a meeting with Chea Tay, the governor of Kampot province.

The project will be located in Traeuy Kaoh commune in Kampot district.

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The provincial governor supported the project, adding that he wants to see more projects in the hospitality sector to meet rising demand from tourists.

Soy Sinol, director of Kampot’s tourism department, confirmed the investment plans but had no details to share.

“All we know is that they have a clear intention to invest in the project, but they haven’t told us any details about the project itself, such as the groundbreaking date or the capital that will be invested,”  he said.

“It is possible that they just need more time to study the project and that when they finish they will reveal more.

“We hope the project will serve to attract more tourists from Japan as we are now focusing on making Kampot more beautiful and green,” Mr Sinol added.

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Kampot city – together with Battambang, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, Kep, Kampong Cham, and Doun Penh, a district of Phnom Penh – all received the top accolade, three romdul flowers, at this year’s edition of the government’s National Clean City Contest.

In 2018, Kampot province received 1.6 million tourists, 10 percent of which were foreign nationals, according to Mr Sinol.

Source - Khmer Times

New Zealand to tax tourists to fund infrastructure

Mount Taranaki

New Zealand announced plans Friday to introduce a tourist tax and increase other fees for international visitors to fund infrastructure development in the face of a tourist boom.

Tourism numbers in the country of 4.5 million have surged by nearly a third in the past three years to 3.8 million in the year to April.

"This rapid growth has impacted on the costs and availability of publicly-provided infrastructure," tourism minister Kelvin Davis said.

"Many regions are struggling to cope and urgently need improved infrastructure, from toilet facilities to carparks."

A tax of NZ$25-35 (US$17-24) would be imposed on international visitors from mid-next year while price hikes for immigration fees and visas will take effect this November.

Australians and most Pacific Island forum countries will be exempt from the new charges.

Tourism is a key pillar of the New Zealand economy and the new tax is expected to raise up to NZ$80 million in its first year, which will be split between tourism infrastructure and conservation initiatives.

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The main opposition National Party claimed the new tax system would make New Zealand a "less attractive" destination.

But Davis believed the impact on tourist numbers would be minimal.

"When you're talking about the additional cost to, say, someone coming from the United States who are already paying about NZ$1,200, an extra NZ$25-NZ$30 isn't going to make that much of a difference," he said.

Source - TheJakartaPost