sustainable tourism development strategy in Mondulkiri

On the 11th, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon went to Mondulkiri Province to inspect local tourism facilities. The Ministry of Tourism is formulating the "Northeast Tourism Overall Development Plan" to build the Northeast as the largest eco-tourism destination in Cambodia, while Mondulkiri Province is the focus of development.

It is reported that the "Northeast Tourism Overall Development Plan" will be completed by August 2020.

As we all know, Cambodia ’s economy is mainly distributed in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukvile, and Siem Reap, and tourism is no exception. With the development of coastal areas and the expansion of tourism, provinces such as Battambang, Koh Kong, and Kep also emerged. More attractions have entered the public's field of vision and become the new attraction of Cambodia tourism. During the development of the tourism industry, the local economy is gradually active, the infrastructure is becoming more and more complete, and investment is thriving.

Compared with these areas, the northeast is not close to the sea, and the geographical advantages are not obvious. In addition, there is no airport, and the transportation is inconvenient. The development of trade and tourism lags behind the southwest, and the land is relatively cheap.

With the comprehensive development of the Cambodian economy, tourism diversification is imminent, and the advantages of the Northeast region are gradually highlighted. Mondulkiri Province has natural waterfalls, nature reserves, indigenous cultural areas, forest seas and other characteristic tourism resources, and is a relatively prominent tourist destination in the region. Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said that Mondulkiri Province and the entire northeast region are the main eco-tourism destinations in Cambodia, attracting a large number of tourists every year, and the huge potential for tourism development. In the context of promoting the comprehensive development of the tourism industry, the region is expected to jointly develop ecotourism with Kep, Koh Kong and other provinces.

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon also said that the overall plan for the development of Mondulkiri tourism must conform to the overall plan, especially the land use plan, so that the entire area of Mondulkiri becomes a high-quality and sustainable tourism destination.

In order to build Cambodia's largest eco-tourism destination, Cambodia plans to upgrade the infrastructure facilities in the region and build an airport in Mondulkiri Province. The airport can connect Mondulkiri with neighboring tourist destinations (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and other major cities) to expand the Cambodian tourism market.

If the overall development plan for the Northeast is realized, in addition to the development of tourism, other local industries will also enter a new stage, especially basic industries such as agriculture. The development of the tourism market in the Northeast will also bring more investment opportunities. Under the Sustainable Development Goals, the land resources in the Northeast region, especially in Mondulkiri Province will be popular.