Challenges and Potentials of the Community Based Ecotourism in Livelihood Improvement, A Case Study in Preah Nimith CBET, Cambodia

Project Objective

To explore the challenges and potentials of the Community Based Ecotourism in Livelihood Improvement.

Project Description

Community based ecotourism has been considered as an effective natural resource governance policy for both forest conservation and livelihood improvement, and increasing trend worldwide. The Royal Government of Cambodia has been promoting and establishing community based ecotourism sites (CBET) across the countries. Preah Nimith CBET is located in a remote region Northern part of Cambodia, next to protected area, mountrains, and Mekong river, bordering with Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LaoPDR). Although it has been established for nearly a decade, it is not known by many people, both local and foreign visitors. Like many established CBET in Cambodia, Preah Nimith CBET can just sustain its activities but cannot move to the next level of improvement in terms of organization, ecotourism packages, facilities, and infrastructure (water, electricity, accessible road, and sanitation). This study employed qualitative method, interviewing CBET members, local authorities, provincial department of tourism staffs, and the relevant NGOs in Preah Vihear Province.