Steung Treng (FN), March 26 – ASEAN website has featured the River Festival, Sea Festival, Khmer New Year, Angkor Sangkranta, Water Festival, and half-marathon in ASEAN's 'Best 50 Festivals and 50 Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences', according to the Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon.

The announcement was made during the opening ceremony the of River Festival on Saturday. Yim Chaily, Chairman of Council for Agricultural and Rural Development in Steung Treng, presided over the celebrations.

Steung Treng, home to many diverse cultures, has the potential to develop eco-tourism, drawing visitors to its natural sites along its many rivers.

The River Festival is a wonderful event as it not only promotes ecotourism, but also supports sustainable development through the protection and conservation of natural resources and the balance of environment, socio-economic, culture, and development.

The River Festival encourages local governments  to participate in the  “Clean City, Clean Resort, Good Service" competition, which promotes quality tourist services, infrastructure, and local products businesses.

It also serves to raise public awareness of the importance of river resources based on the vision “Clean Green Development of River Communities”, by preparing to compete in ASEAN Clean City
Challenge.

The festival aspires to introduce the surrounding provinces and rivers as popular tourist sites and promote quality tourist services, natural resources conservation, and partnership with allies.

The leaders of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) under the framework of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and Mekong-Japan are committed to making the DTA epicenter of trade and tourism.
=FRESH NEWS