Cambodian village woos tourists

International organisations are helping villagers in Sambor Prei Kuk the site of pre-Angkor temples to welcome tourists, who have so far passed by without noticing its historical attractions.

The village  is in Kampong Thom province, halfway between Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat. Most visitors pass through the area without stopping and that is the challenge facing villagers. How to win travellers’ attention and build a viable tourism product?

Using  international aid and assistance, the villagers have set up small scale tourism outlets such as a handicraft shop, information centre, restaurant, homestay accommodation and bicycle tours. Villagers guide the bicycle trips to nearby ruins that have been likened to a setting in the Indiana Jones movie.

Funding came from GTZ, the German Technical Cooperation Agency, which has helped villagers to prepare the sites. On the marketing side, Khiri Reach, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Khiri Travel, is now promoting Sambor Prei Kuk.

The area was formerly known as Isanapura, the capital of a pre-Angkorian Khmer kingdom and has largely been forgotten by the architects of heritage tourism in Cambodia.

 “Our aim is to bring more people to Sambor Prei Kuk and extend their stay from a day trip to an overnight,” said CEO and co-founder of Khiri Travel, Willem Niemeijer.

 “The area is suitable for adventure travellers who enjoy low-key pleasures such as forest treks, exploration by bicycle, ox cart rides, homestay and buying locally made silk, rattan and bamboo handicrafts.”

GTZ has helped with guide training, educating locals to preserve their heritage and the construction of a basic restaurant, information centre and toilets for tourists. When GTZ started work in the area there were approximately 1,200 visitors a year, who stopped at at the village. There are now around 8,000, but few stay overnight.

 “Sambor Prei Kuk is at the centre of a plan to promote attractions throughout Kampong Thom province,” said, GTZ-PSP, private sector promotion, programme director, Peter Bolster.
 “The provincial government has agreed to adopt a plan, which is now under consideration at the highest level of government in Phnom Penh,” he said.

Mr Niemeijer said that inspecting the ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk can be combined with visits to other community- based attractions in the province. These include Santuk mountain, considered sacred in the region, Tonle Sap protected area and bird sanctuary, Santuk Silk Farm and an inspection of villages recognised for their stone carving and rice noodles production.

Since 2005, GTZ has worked with the Sambor Prei Kuk Conservation Project to establish craft training courses for seven villages in the area. Community funds now go towards temple conservation, supporting cottage businesses, maintaining signage, and the upkeep of the craft hut and information centre.

Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite, special offer at: www.travelmole.com/stories/1142003.php