The new edition of the Stay Another Day guidebook helps visitors who wish to travel responsibly and consider where they spend their time and money

A woman in a red-and-white krama head scarf smiles, holding her hands together in the traditional sompeah greeting.

Featured on the cover of the third edition of Stay Another Day Cambodia, the 76-page A5 tourism booklet, she seems to be imploring visitors to be mindful of local culture while visiting the country.

As Minister of Tourism Thong Khon points out in his welcoming message to the booklet, the activities on offer were chosen for their responsible tourism practices as well as the participating organisations’ work in the areas of education, culture, community and environment.

Cambodia is an emerging nation striving to rebuild itself after a difficult political past, he said.

“By extending your stay and travelling to other regions of the country …you will also be helping the local economy by generating jobs and income for out people,” Thong Khon said.

The booklet was put together with sponsorship from German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development.

GTZ private sector promotion chief technical adviser Peter Bolster said destinations for ecotourism in Cambodia were attracting greater numbers of tourists every year.

“Stay Another Day gives guidance to all those who want to learn more about the country – those who want to see how traditional cultural values are conserved and developed today,” Bolster said.

Stay Another Day publication director Kim Natacha, who is also and the editor-in-chief for Economics Today magazine, Kim Natacha, said the the two previous editions had proved highly successful.

The guide shows how to participate in cultural activities, plan a side trip with a responsible tour operator, information on adventures in ecotourism.

“Tourists longing for authentic and eye-opening vacations can now be satisfied with the wonders Cambodia has to offer,” Natacha said.

Stay Another Day features information on dining in restaurants hiring disadvantaged youth and visiting shops that participate in fair trade or employ disabled artisans.

60,000 free copies of Stay Another Day have been distributed to major tourist hubs in Cambodia as well as trade fairs and events abroad.

The booklet is available online at www.stayanotherdaycambodia.com.