World conference

Director General of the Ministry of Tourism Tith Chantha has signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia-based consultancy firm Discovery Mice to co-organise the 2011 World Ecotourism Conference in Sihanoukville.

“Our country has a lot of ecotourism areas and a lot of potential for tourists,” said Tith Chantha at the Wednesday signing. “We want to do this event because we want Cambodia to become strong in ecotourism.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Mice, Lee Choon Loong, said: “We think that WEC2011 is very important and strategic in promoting Cambodia as a leader in tourism and a leading community-based ecotourism destination in the region.”

Tith Chantha said that conference dates were unconfirmed, but the two-and-a half-day event would coincide with World Tourism Day on September 27.

Tour companies are optimistic about the event.  

Kong Sangvar, managing director of Orchestra Travel and Tours in Phnom Penh, said yesterday he hoped it would help promote Cambodia “to the world”.

Oum Linda, branch office manager of Khiri Travel in Phnom Penh, said: “It will promote our ecotourism activities and bring income to rural areas.”