Siem Reap Tourism Club Update

The Siem Reap Tourism Club (STC) has launched several new initiatives aimed at promoting tourism and supporting the local community in the area.

The STC has successfully implemented various projects, including a charity event that raised funds for the Angkor Hospital for Children, a cross-border motor ride from Thailand to Cambodia, and support for the ULS on We Love Siem Reap Campaign. This campaign encourages individuals to share their love for Siem Reap by taking picture posts and winning prizes. Additionally, the organisation has conducted capability training programs and signed memorandums of understanding with Destination Mekong as a strategic partner for destination promotion and Satapana Bank for digital and fintech solutions for the tourism industry.

Furthermore, the STC has partnered with Siem Reap Provincial Hall and JICA to develop a digital platform that supports the Smart Tourism initiative. This platform will connect tourists with local businesses and attractions while providing information on sustainable tourism practices.

The STC has also launched a pre-employment program to recruit 300 students from low-income families in five remote districts (Chikreng, Kralanh, Angkor Chum, Varin, and Prasat Bakong), starting in April 2023. The program aims to provide training and employment opportunities for local residents, support the development of a skilled tourism workforce, and STC has joined HOKA as one of the speakers to share about tourism skills being essential for life.

“We are thrilled to announce these new initiatives, which demonstrate our commitment to supporting the local community and promoting sustainable tourism in Siem Reap,” said STC’s president. “We look forward to continuing these efforts in the years ahead and working with our partners and stakeholders.”

For more information on Siem Reap Tourism Club’s initiatives and programs, please visit their website at [www.siemreaptourismclub.com]

Agoda Partnered with COVID Relief Bangkok

In July 2020, Agoda partnered with the COVID Relief project in Bangkok to distribute essentials to the most vulnerable groups in Bangkok.

Our colleagues in Bangkok joined to help pack relief kits that include masks, soaps, hand sanitizers, and basic food supplies. Agoda is proud to support this effort through our giving and volunteering program.

More details: https://partnerhub.agoda.com/agoda-partnered-with-covid-relief-bangkok/

Food charity drive with chefs and gastronomy members

The chefs and volunteers from several culinary-related associations, restaurants and hotels came together recently to do their bit to help needy families and people severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Headed by Master Chef Luu Meng, the CEO and Founder of Almond Hospitality, they also distributed food to volunteer doctors and health offices at Covid-19 vaccination centres, construction workers and road sweepers around the Sisowath Quay and palace areas.

The two-day charity activity carried out on Friday and Monday was in appreciation of their dedication to go about their duties during this pandemic.

It involved two-day cooking of food which was packed in 410 boxes consisting of 500grammes each of Cambodian all-time favourite dish “Prahoc Ktis” (fermented fish, minced pork, pea eggplants and coconut milk with help from local NGO, Mudhita Foundation for distribution.Each box can feed up to eight people.

On Friday, the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia (ACAC) gave 300 boxes of cooked food while Sevensea Seafood Restaurant provided 110 boxes on Monday.  To top it off, a donation of cartons of Ogeu still mineral water from the Pyrenees, France was given with the gourmet meal.

Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, the founder of Mudhita Foundation, also participated in the cooking and preparation of the food boxes with the chefs on Friday at ACAC.

“We can’t help everyone, but we hope that with the cooking of this popular Khmer dish by our chefs and volunteers, infused with their love and kindness, we can together make a difference and bring some cheer to their lives,” said Meng who is the president of the Cambodian Tourism Federation.

The people and associations who made the charity event a reality were Disciple Escoffier Cambodia Association, Cambodia Chefs Society, ACAC, Cambodia Restaurants Association, Cambodia Chaîne des Rôtisseurs members,  Sun and Moon Hotel, World Dining Restaurant, Malis Restaurant, Uy Kuyteav Restaurant, Preah Srey of Anvarman Museum and Ogeu Groupe – Ogeu Eaux Minérales.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50866529/food-charity-drive-with-chefs-and-gastronomy-members/

Destination Management in Developing and Emerging Countries

Tourism can be a source of foreign currency, a job engine and a catalyst for sustainable regional development, but it can also have a negative impact. In order to access its inherent potential, tourism needs to be managed with foresight.

Managing destinations plays a key role here. Because of their market relevance and size, destinations have the potential to be developed and marketed from a sustainable perspective.

That requires effective destination management organizations (DMOs), which can manage the destination and coordinate various tourism-related stakeholders.

Continue reading

FROM SYSTEM SHOCK TO SYSTEM CHANGE – TIME TO TRANSFORM

In this report, we explore some of the key dynamics that lie at the heart of these transitions. And we ask how we can make active choices now that will transform our future prospects by embedding, at the heart of our strategies and plans, the realisation that a fundamentally different model is needed. A model that puts people’s wellbeing and planetary health first, as the overriding imperatives. Planetary health is not separate to human wellbeing. The two are intricately intertwined. In order to achieve the just, resilient and truly sustainable world we want we advocate a regenerative approach – enhancing the underlying capacity of all individuals, communities and ecosystems, to be healthy, to keep evolving, and fulfilling their potential.

Continue reading

Mekong Tourism & SUNx Malta Announce Scholarships for Climate Friendly Travel

Supporting Students & Professionals From The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries – Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Bangkok, September 22, 2020: Thanks to Malta’s Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, and the Institute for Tourism Studies Malta, SUNx Malta and The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) are offering 5 scholarships for a new online Diploma in Climate Friendly Travel.

 

This Diploma is the first of its kind and will train students and professionals to support companies and communities in the Travel & Tourism industry in adjusting their operations towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral, in the face of the global challenge of Climate Change.

 

“Through these scholarships and this institute of Climate Friendly Travel Malta is committing itself in this sector and has become a global centre for Climate Friendly Travel,” stated Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli.

 

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUNx Malta and former Assistant Secretary-General of the UNWTO, said:

 

“We have formed a team of around 25 deeply-informed lecturers on the subject, to provide online interactive lessons in this diploma. This will help them for future climate-friendly jobs in transport and sustainable hospitality, to be policymakers for governments or destination management. They will discover why it is essential to have Climate Friendly Travel and to do our part in the global response for the existing climate crisis. They shall also learn to consider the transformation of the travel and tourism sector in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal and the Paris Climate Accord. In the next 10 years, every travel and tourism business and the community will shift towards climate-friendly travel, whether it is through informed decisions, consumer pressure or government regulations. It is why those career opportunities will multiply greatly,” stated Professor Lipman.

 

Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director of MTCO said:

 

“We are delighted to be partnering with SUNx Malta to promote this opportunity to people in the Mekong that recognise the existential threat of Climate Change and the essential role that Travel & Tourism has to play in transforming to become Climate Friendly. As a region directly affected by the changing climate, countries of The Greater Mekong Subregion are at most risk, and it is essential that they develop Climate Resilient strategies. This initiative, taught by some of the leading authorities in this field will train the next generation to implement this change.”    

 

Interested applicants may register for this scholarship at

https://www.thesunprogram.com/climate-friendly-travel-diploma-mekong      

 

Individuals who are interested in this programme but are not eligible to apply for this scholarship, may apply for the study programme here

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

Notes to Editors

 

The Strong Universal Network SUNx is a global Travel & Tourism Climate Response system, designed to act as a catalyst for the sector to develop Climate Friendly Travel – Paris 1.5 and SDG linked: and a conduit to the UNFCCC driven New Climate Economy. Operating globally from Malta, with a Registry of Climate Neutral Ambitions; a Climate Friendly Travel Diploma and an SDG17 led Climate Champions outreach program. Established as legacy to Maurice Strong, Climate Activist and Sustainable Development Pioneer. In 2019, through a partnership with Malta’s Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection, and Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) SUNx Malta was created to establish Malta as a Global Centre for Climate Friendly Travel. 

 

For more information, please contact:

Olly Wheatcroft, SUNx Program Manager

olly@thesunprogram.com +44 (0) 7765 132408

 

 

About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office:
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), located in Bangkok, was set up with funding from the governments of the six Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries – Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The MTCO, which operates on annual financial contributions from each GMS country, acts as the secretariat for the GMS Tourism Working Group, comprising of senior officials of the six GMS countries’ National Tourism Organizations, to coordinate and facilitate sustainable tourism development of the GMS, and promotion of the Mekong region as a single travel and tourism destination, in collaboration with the public and private sectors. The MTCO manages its award-winning MekongTourism.org digital platform as a one-stop platform to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in the region, as well as the annual Mekong Tourism Forum, whose hosting is rotated among GMS countries.

Please visit www.MekongTourism.org for more information.


About Destination Mekong:
Destination Mekong was created in 2017 to promote the Mekong region, comprising of Cambodia, PR China (Provinces of Guangxi and Yunnan), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam as a single tourism destination to stimulate responsible and sustainable development and investment, and drive inclusive growth. Endorsed by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office and aligned with the mandate of the regional collaborative tourism framework of the six-member governments of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, Destination Mekong executes targeted projects and initiatives, including Mekong Moments, Mekong Mini Movie Festival, Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST), Experience Mekong Collection, Mekong Heroes, and Mekong Trends, with feedback from the Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG) and via public-private partnership investment structure, led by UNWTO Affiliate Member Chameleon Strategies. 

Please visit www.DestinationMekong.com for more information.

 

COVID Relief Bangkok founded by Sati Foundation and Urban Studies Lab

Established five days ago on March 23 by Sati Foundation, Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) and Urban Studies Lab, Covid Relief Bangkok is a public Facebook group for coordinating relief efforts to the most vulnerable in the city. Using demographics data, the alliance of non-profits and urban development experts are working to transparently identify communities most in need, based on age, income and pre-existing conditions.

Continue reading