Ecotourism focus on Koh Kong

PHNOM PENH Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has requested Japan to conduct a feasibility study to develop a mangrove forest in Koh Kong province into an ecotourism site.

Khmer Times reported the proposal was raised in a meeting between the Japanese ambassador, Hidehisa Horinouchi and the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, last week.

Cambodia is keen to add new tourist attractions that offer soft-adventure or an ecotourism theme.

Tourism Minister Thong Khon was quoted saying the ministry asked the Japanese to fund a feasibility study of the mangrove forest environment in Koh Kong province to identify ways to make the southwest coastal tourist destination more attractive.

“Cambodia needs more investment in its tourism sector such as in hotels and the creation of new and attractive tourism products,” he said.

He claimed there was potential for ecotourism in Koh Kong province, where there are about 50,000 hectares of mangrove forests. Koh Kong is close to the border with Thailand’s eastern seaboard provinces.

Sihanoukville airport would be the nearest airline gateway in Cambodia and Thai Air Asia is reportedly interested in flying there next year.

Located on the southwest tip of Cambodia, Koh Kong town, the provincial seat of Koh Kong province, is best known for its mangrove forests, rivers, and tropical islands.

Koh Kong province can be reached from the Hat Lek/Cham Yeam border checkpoint in eastern Thailand, or from the port and beach resort town of Sihanoukville where there are more than 17 casinos. The border is about 14 km from Koh Kong town.

The tourism ministry aims to encourage international tourists to visit coastal areas and ecotourism destinations to take the pressure off Siem Reap, which dominates as the top tourist destination even surpassing Phnom Penh the capital.