LACQUER WORKSHOP TOURS LED BY DEAF GUIDES

Cambolac’s tours of its lacquer workshops near Wat Po Langka, led by a deaf guide, are kicking off tomorrow until October 11, as part of the company’s activities to mark the International Week of the deaf in September.

Cambolac is a social enterprise created in 2012 to generate jobs for the poor living around Angkor Wat and for the hearing impaired. It now employs more than 50 people for the creation of lacquered crafts for the local hospitality and tourist sectors, and will soon be spreading into international markets.

Reporter Nicky Sullivan points out that that Cambolac’s lacquered boxes, candle holders, plates, trays and other products are made by hand to the highest standards and each piece can take up to a month to complete.

Nicky adds, “Companies are able to order pieces that are specifically adapted to their needs, using their own images for unique editions of the works. They are available for sale at the workshop, in the Art Centre Night Market and beside Pub Street.

“The tours will be led by one of the hearing impaired employees, who will show visitors the process of how the products are created, as well as teach a few words of Khmer sign language along the way.”

LE MERIDIEN TEDDY BEAR CAMPIAGN UNDERWAY

Le Meridien Angkor is again kicking off its annual teddy bear charity sales for Kantha Bopha children hospital, which relies almost 100 per cent on donations to fund its medical services and provide free health care for Cambodian children. The hospital saves the lives of thousands of children every year suffering from tuberculosis and other curable diseases and annually the foundation, run by Dr Beat Richner, provides 100,000 vaccinations and 600,000 visits to sick children’s.

Dennis Kam, director of sales and marketing says, “The public can buy a cute teddy bear at $15 at the hotel gift shop. The customer will be given a card to write best wishes and has a choice whether to keep or to give the soft toy to the children. By the end of the campaign, Le Meridien Angkor will present the money raised and teddy bears to the hospital.

The campaign, which commenced on October 1 runs until January 2015

MORE RECOGNITION FOR ABOUTASIA TOURS

Philanthropic AboutAsia tour company founder Andy Booth is at it again – putting himself and his worthy organisation in line for yet another prestigious award.

AboutAsia Travel has been shortlisted for an award for its contribution to experiential travel by Pure Life Experiences, a global marketplace for the high end experiential travel industry.

The shortlist also includes Kep hotel Knai Bang Chatt for its work in community engagement, and Aqua Expedition’s luxury boat Aqua Mekong for design.

Booth will find out whether he’s won during the next Pure Life Experiences trade show in Marrakech from November 10-13.

This comes on top of AboutAsia having just received an award as a top-rated non-profit for 2014 by charitable review and ranking organisation, Great Nonprofits.

The Pure Life Experiences award recognises individuals whose efforts have, “directly influenced the development of the experiential travel movement, and celebrates mavericks whose commitment, curiosity and daring set new standards for the industry at large.”

Speaking to Insider’s Nicky Sullivan, Booth said he was pleased about the shortlisting because it boosts the company’s credibility and the work it’s doing. He added that he was thrilled that with only 36 shortlisted candidates in six categories, Cambodian high-end tourism operators seem to be punching above their weight.

“With companies and individuals being shortlisted in three different categories, it’s really encouraging to see the impact the high-end tourism sector in Cambodia is having in these global marketplaces, and how it is promoting tourism here in the Kingdom,” he said.