Natural Tourism Must Prioritize Local Communities, Says H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Ministry of Environment

The development of natural tourism areas must prioritize local communities before inviting outside investment, according to H.E. Eang Sophalleth, Minister of Ministry of Environment (MoE). This strategic approach is intended to boost the local economy and ensure that benefits directly reach the local people, reducing environmental pressure in the process.

Minister Sophalleth's statement echoes high-level guidance from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who stressed that development of natural tourism must first secure benefits for local livelihoods. Sophalleth urged community members to "seize their destiny by utilising their existing potential to strengthen the local economy and reduce environmental pressure." The Minister made his remarks on Monday during a meeting with the 100 Nights Association, led by Muong Sony, which reported on efforts to promote Koh Sralao (Sralao Island) as a carbon-neutral and plastic-free area.

To realize the vision of making Koh Sralao a "fresh, clean, and green carbon-neutral island," the MoE has prepared a detailed action plan:

1. Waste Management: Cooperation between the community and authorities to clean the island, separate waste for composting, and use solar energy to burn plastic waste.
2. Clean Energy: Equipping the area with clean energy infrastructure to meet community needs.
3. Eco-Tourism and Livelihoods: Promoting eco-tourism, natural crab breeding, and the protection and restoration of mangrove forests and cardamom trees to improve local livelihoods.

The MoE's approach received support from Chum Huot, President of the Association of Environmental and Social Lovers (AESL), who called Minister Sophalleth's strategy the "right one." Huot stressed that the approach will make eco-tourism environmentally sustainable while creating economic opportunities that primarily benefit local communities. "Local communities are the managers and key actors responsible for promoting and raising awareness of the eco-tourism sector," Huot stated, highlighting their crucial role in conservation and livelihood improvement. The Prime Minister's emphasis on sustainable tourism is part of a broader national goal for the sector to be a key engine for Cambodia to become a high-income economy by 2050. He has called for the promotion of green investment in tourism through 4Ps (Public-Private-People Partnerships), based on the principle of "Conservation for Development, Development for Conservation." Currently, Cambodia has over 120 tourism communities actively attracting visitors, a form of responsible tourism that directly supports local communities and improves livelihoods.