Takeo (FN), Mar. 22 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed relevant ministries and institutions to collaborate in enhancing the capacity of local communities in tourism areas, equipping them with hospitality skills and service knowledge to better attract tourists.

The premier spoke on Saturday (Mar. 22) at the opening ceremony of the 9th River Festival in Takeo province.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet underlined that empowering local communities is crucial in helping them succeed with existing local products before seeking private sector investment. A well-prepared community does not eliminate the need for further investment but instead helps address gaps and meet the needs of tourists, he added.

Samdech Thipadei underscored, "Before turning to the private sector for investment, we must first focus on strengthening community capacity. If they are already successful in a certain area, then they are already providing valuable products. The question is, should we prevent private sector investment? No, because community capacity alone cannot cover all areas. Where the community can manage, we let them, but in some cases, external investment is necessary."

Regarding community priorities, Samdech Thipadei explained that if a tourist area is capable of providing sufficient services, additional investment may not be needed. However, in larger areas where the community lacks sufficient capacity, further investment is required to meet tourist demands.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei underlined that private sector investment in tourism areas must be carefully considered to ensure it does not negatively impact local communities. He added that private sector investment should preserve the original structure and natural characteristics of tourism areas, maintaining their unique identity while ensuring that public spaces remain accessible.
=FRESH NEWS