Strategic Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism on the Khmer Coast
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See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272747722 Strategic guidelines for sustainable tourism on the Khmer coast Technical Report · June 2013 CITATIONS READS 0 337 12 authors, including: Rodney William Carter Tara McKenzie University of the Sunshine Coast University of the Sunshine Coast 206 PUBLICATIONS 1,610 CITATIONS 1 PUBLICATION 0 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Katherine Kelly Anne Roiko University of the Sunshine Coast Griffith University 3 PUBLICATIONS 0 CITATIONS 82 PUBLICATIONS 1,515 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Sustainable tourism in Australia View project Indonesia Sustainable Development View project All content following this page was uploaded by Rodney William Carter on 06 March 2015. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. STRATEGIC GUIDELINES FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ON THE KHMER COAST Report prepared by: RW (Bill) Carter, Vicky O'Rourke, Tracee Livingstone, Tara McKenzie, Michael Lyell, Jenna Brown, Pamela Marsden, Jeremy Gray, Francesca McMackin, Jamie Knight, Katherine Kelly and Anne Roiko for the Ministry of Tourism, Royal Government of Cambodia, and the provinces of Koh Kong, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep Strategic guidelines for sustainable tourism on the Khmer coast Disclaimer To prepare these guidelines, nine students and three staff from the University of the Sunshine Coast visited the four provinces of the Khmer coast in September 2012. Interviews were held with national and provincial government officials with responsibility for environmental protection, fisheries management, planning and public health. Data were gathered on the status of the Khmer coast, existing tourism, fisheries, infrastructure and water quality management approaches. The guidelines are based on the information made available to the authors and their observations, and may include misinterpretation of fact and intent. These Strategic Guidelines are not a plan for tourism in the Khmer coast: planning is a matter for the national and provincial governments of Cambodia, in this case, through the Ministry of Tourism. Acknowledgements We gratefully thank the Australian Government (Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education) funded USC Global Opportunities (GO) Program that enabled the visit to Cambodia, and the Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) that has enabled continued collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia. We especially acknowledge the assistance of the Cambodian Minister and Director General of Tourism, as well as the Provincial Governors who allowed their staff to work closely with us during field inspections. Special thanks go to Mr THOK Sokhom, Director International and ASEAN who facilitated the in-country logistics. Images Vicky O’Rourke, Jamie Knight, Michael Lyell and RW (Bill) Carter Reviewer Dr Christine Jacobson ISBN 9 7809 8047 4459 – paperback (English language) 9 7809 8047 4466 – ebook (English language) 9 7809 8047 4480 – paperback (Khmer language) 9 780 98047 4473 – ebook (Khmer language) Publisher University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4558, Australia. Available at USC Research Bank, http://research.usc.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Index Citation This report should be cited as: Carter RW, O'Rourke V, Livingstone T, McKenzie T, Lyell M, Brown J, Marsden P, Gray J, McMackin F, Knight J, Kelly K & Roiko A, 2013, Strategic guidelines for sustainable tourism on the Khmer coast, report to the Ministry of Tourism, Royal Government of Cambodia, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia, 84pp. Ministry of Tourism Lot 3A, Street 169, Sangkat Vealvong Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh Sustainability Research Centre University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs, Queensland 4558, Australia Contact [email protected] ii STRATEGIC GUIDELINES FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ON THE KHMER COAST iv Foreword The provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Kampot and Koh Kong comprise Cambodia’s coastal zone and offer tourists scenic beauty, beaches, marine and terrestrial biodiversity, culture and historic heritage. This has been recognised by the Khmer coast being included in the Club of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays. These features are, or can be, tourism assets that will increasingly contribute to Cambodia’s economy. Koh Kong’s Cardamom Mountains and adjacent mangrove forests are part of the second-largest virgin rainforest in Southeast Asia; Kampot’s cultural and cuisine heritage; Kep’s beachside getaway with local appeal; and the thriving hub of Sihanoukville offer tourists a diverse, uniquely local experience unlike that of our Southeast Asian neighbours. Tourism is now one of the world’s fastest growing economic sectors and one of Cambodia’s four main economic pillars. While increasing tourism drives much needed development and increased gross domestic product, it also places pressure on existing infrastructure and ecosystem services. Concentrated pressure resulting from rapidly expanding tourism may result in localised environmental consequences that have a cumulative effect. There are indications that land use practices and development are threatening the natural integrity and values of coastal areas and their ability to continue to deliver ecosystem services for the community. The condition of the physical environment with development of environmentally sensitive coastal areas may also affect the socio-economic status of the local people, including their health, prosperity and well-being. Factors such as increased production of solid and liquid wastes from tourism, habitat fragmentation caused by unregulated development and the potential loss of traditional social and cultural identity need to be managed sustainably. Historically, development of tourism in Cambodian coastal areas has been driven primarily by financial interests. Integration of tourism development planning that addresses financial, environmental and social factors will ensure a sustainable future for tourism and the Cambodian people. A cooperative approach between the four provinces is needed based on the principles of good governance, inter and intra- generational equity, protecting the distinctiveness of each of the four coastal regions and applying the precautionary principle to ensure long-term sustainability and adaptive capacity. Development of the Cambodian coast requires planning for sustainable conservation, restoration and development, including protection of the region’s historical and cultural values. Nature and cultural-based tourism are an integral part of a sustainable future for the Cambodian coast and development that meets these objectives is the goal of the Royal Government of Cambodia. These Strategic Guidelines provide clear direction for tourism planning, development and management in the coastal zone. They incorporate the vision and policies of the Royal Government of Cambodia and can form the basis for action by my Ministry, the Provincial Governments of Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot and Koh Kong, as well as Ministries responsible for resource management and communities of the Khmer coast. v Strategic guidelines for sustainable tourism on the Khmer coast EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Rapid tourism growth in Cambodia is driving the need for planning and development in the coastal areas that is sustainable. Strategic planning is needed to protect environmental values while enhancing economic growth. Coordination between the four coastal provinces of Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong can ensure a sustainable tourism future that offers a unique experience for local, national and international tourists for years to come. The Tourism Development Strategic Plan 2012 – 2020 (TDSP 2012-2020) (RGoC 2012) provides a framework for planning and indicates the Royal Government of Cambodia’s desire for sustainable tourism development and for it to be an important sector for raising the country’s socio-economic status. The strategic directions in this report seek to align with the TDSP 2012 – 2020 and to assist policy makers, stakeholders and governing bodies in making proactive decisions that facilitate sustainable tourism in the Khmer coast. The strategic directions acknowledge Cambodia’s legislation, policies and procedural framework and aim to foster innovative thinking and effective governance of tourism for a sustainable sector of the economy. The goals for tourism on the Khmer coast are to: maximise economic benefit, while minimising negative social and environmental implications; raise awareness and community commitment to protecting and presenting tourism assets; restore the integrity of degraded natural areas so that the ecosystem services they provide can contribute to improving the health and well-being of the Cambodian people; enrich local cultures, preserve customs and celebrate natural, cultural and historic heritage; act as a rationale for improving public infrastructure that will support local livelihoods and improve community well-being; increase cross-cultural understanding through social interactions; diversify the economic base of local communities; and be a model of sustainable tourism in developing countries. An overview of existing policy that has guided the preparation of these Strategic Guidelines is given with a preliminary inventory of tourism assets, their status and implications for tourism. These are not comprehensive and need to be updated; but they