The Advantages of Torism in Cambodia

Tourism is the third world's largest industry. Visitors have visited Cambodia since 20^th century. The  majority  of  visitors  come  from  the  United  States, Japan and France,  followed  by  other  European countries such as  Australia  and  neighboring countries in  the region, especially Thailand. For poor country like Cambodia, tourism is very important part of economic growing. However, there are many harmful effects of mass tourist in most of the tourist sites: the sociocultural and environmental. In the following paragraph, we will intend to describe these views.

Provide jobs

To start with, present of tourism can provide many jobs to Cambodian citizens. For rich people, they can open hotels, guest houses, restaurants, tour travels and so on while for medium class people can work as guide, staff at hotel and restaurant. Apart  from  working  as porters and guides, many people in  the area can run a  small business such as tea  shops,  cold  drink, book guide  and  especially  souvenirs store. This in turn will help poverty and raise the standard of living of the population.

 Tourists visits Cambodia are not only attracted by the wonderful temples, mountains, sea, ancient cities and villages but also by the diverse people and cultures of the country. Cambodia  has  a  long  and  rich  history  of  craft-making  and  was renowned  for  a  number of  different  crafts,  such as silk  and cotton  textiles weaving,  metal  work  and silver slithery, woodcarving,  rattan  furniture, bamboo Marquette  and basket  weaving. Moreover, tourism is interest in Khmer dancing and sometimes they diffuse to their countries in order to let the world know about our beautiful culture and civilization. Khmer dancing has Wishing dance, knock the coco, Apsara, Fishing Dance and so on. For example, in most of the restaurant in Siem Reap, provide dancing show in order to attract more customers. 

Economic Growth

Everyday thousands of tourists visit Cambodia, especially Siem Reap which is the heart of tourism in Cambodia. Tourists visit Cambodia for looking at our ancestor’s wonderful temples, culture, and our living style etc.... For tourism to visit our ancestors temple they have to pay $20 per day for one person (this is only the ticket to visit, it not include in their living everyday in Cambodia like hotel they stay, restaurant they eat and other places they visit). This amount of money is not a little amount, according to the Ministry of Tourism; tourism industry is one of four main economic pillars formulated by the Royal Government of Cambodia in the national development, receiving 2.5 million foreign tourists in 2010 generating the total revenue of US$1.75 billion (Tourism...). According to The World Bank report, the GDP per capital of Cambodian people are $795 in 2010 increase about 6.85% compare to 2009 and estimate to increase for 5 years continuously (GDP...). This result also related to the increasing of tourists visit Cambodia and spends their money here. Another point to make economic growth is the attracting of new investments. Generally, investor invest in the place where people living or visiting, so if the number of tourists that come to Cambodia increase, it is no doubts that investors going to invest in Cambodia. For example, the amount of bank in Cambodia are increase every year because the investors they know the real situation of tourists that they do not like to keep their money in their pocket, but they keep their money in the bank and use it by ATM, VISA Card and Master Card..... Other examples are Tourist Companies, Restaurant, and Hotel is increase as well.

Social Development

As we mention about the incomes from tourists that visit Cambodia is around US$1.75 billion. Although, that money is going into two sectors: are government sector and private sector. For instance, the tourists that visit temple have to pay US$20 per day and that money is going into Apsara Authority which is one of the NGO in Cambodia. Apsara Authority has the obligation to keep a part of the money to spend on take care, and look after the temples and the environment around there. There was over 3,000 staffs in Apsara Authority that includes internal and external staff, and the external staffs is responsible for take care and look after the temples and the environment such as cleaner on the road and in the temples and so on. Otherwise, government can collect a part of money from tourists under the picture of collecting taxes from those businesses. A part of money will going into the budget of social development such as building infrastructure and social security. For example, road, bridge, school and hospital was built for publish use.

Improve knowledge

Knowledge is the most importance part for people living and improving their live. Knowledge not only come from education, but also come from everyday living. When foreigners visit Cambodia they bring their culture and their knowledge with them too. Therefore, when Cambodians communicate with them they will know the different culture and activities of other country even they never go there. People will gain knowledge from them such as: language, new material, and living style. For instance, the seller around temples both old people and young people can speak English and other languages to communicate with tourists very well without going to English school. 

Posted By:  Sophoan Dam                                                                          Date: 28, June 2012