via Phnom Penh Post, 05 August 2019: Part of an initiative to develop more tourism destinations in Cambodia, particularly in Battambang, Kratie and Kampot provinces.
Three provincial capitals are being promoted as second-tier tourist destinations due to their historic Khmer and French colonial-era buildings, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The initiative – dubbed “The Inclusive City” – was presented by French Development Agency (Agence Francaise de Developpement, AFD) country director Philippe Steinmetz during a meeting with Minister of Tourism Thong Khon on Wednesday.
According to the ministry’s official Facebook page Battambang, Kampot and Kratie towns will become “secondary urban tourism destinations” after Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
The ministry’s spokesman Top Sopheak said the AFD intends to help with the maintenance, repair and preservation of the towns’ old buildings and turn them into “inclusive” tourist cities, with all development activities set to be carried out with the consideration of the residents’ rights and benefits.
“We hope that through the initiative, Cambodia will be able to build and strengthen its tourism sector to the next level, especially with tourists from Europe,” he said.
Source: Three provincial capitals to promote historic buildings | Phnom Penh Post
