Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 11 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged officials and relevant authorities to provide additional support and training to communities in certain tourist destinations to help them secure stable and decent employment. Meanwhile, the Royal Government plans to develop further tourism infrastructure.

The premier addressed over 4,500 Vanda Institute graduates on Tuesday morning (Mar. 11) at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Samdech Thipadei noted that the tourism sector must focus on strategic investments in tourism infrastructure to avoid misdirected spending that could lead to financial losses. To support this effort, the Royal Government will construct essential facilities, including restrooms and designated areas for communities to sell their products.

At the same time, officials and relevant authorities are encouraged to train local communities in hospitality and entrepreneurship to enable them to create jobs catering to tourists. However, Samdech Thipadei stressed that the government does not encourage private sector investments that could undermine the livelihoods of local communities. He clarified that allowing private sector investment should be a last resort unless such investment complements community-driven initiatives and helps attract more visitors.

"Do not do business on behalf of the community—teach them how to run their own businesses. Do not hire businesspeople to take over their work. If the community already has the skills, help them enhance their capacity to find business opportunities. We will build supporting infrastructure such as restrooms and sales areas to facilitate their activities, but ultimately, they should establish their own guesthouses. Our role is to collaborate with the private sector where necessary, such as in tourism guidance," Samdech Thipadei underscored.

Samdech Thipadei continued, "Our goal is to equip them with better business knowledge so that income remains within the community. There is no need for the private sector to replace them, except in large-scale projects. When the tourism sector flourishes and people earn income from it, they will shift from logging to providing tourism services."

Additionally, Samdech Thipadei advised communities to strengthen their services to attract more tourists.
=FRESH NEWS