A young woman holds a ‘Green Passport’ issued by the Ministry of Tourism. FACEBOOK
The Ministry of Tourism said it aims to eventually have millions of participants in its “Green Passport” initiative – a drive launched in October to assess hygiene levels in the Kingdom’s more than 2,000 registered restaurants.
Around 400 restaurants, mostly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, have signed up to the Green Passport campaign, which allows people to assess the hygiene of eateries, focusing on rubbish under tables and the cleanliness of toilets.
Kim Serey Rath, director of the ministry’s Tourist Accommodation Services and Food Management Department, told The Post on Wednesday that the ministry was raising awareness of the scheme to boost participants.
“The campaign’s original deadline has passed but we have extended it to in April due to low participation. Currently, only some 5,000 people have applied, not as many as wanted by the ministry."
“The ministry wants participation to be proportional to Cambodia’s population of more than 17 million and have millions take part,” Serey Rath said.
A video posted on the Ministry of Tourism’s Facebook page on Wednesday called on tourists and locals to join the Clean Tourist Restaurant and Canteen campaign and apply for a Green Passport by visiting cleanrest.cambodiaecobusiness.org.
The Green Passport is a small book allowing participants to assess around 400 of Cambodia’s more than two thousand registered restaurants. By taking it to a restaurant it can be stamped with “No rubbish under the table” and “Clean sanitary toilet” at satisfactory eateries.
“Those participating in the Green Passport scheme and get the most stamps will receive an appreciation letter and a medal from the Ministry of Tourism and the National Committee for the Assessment of Clean Cities,” Serey Rath said.
He said the campaign will be spread to the provinces and the Green Passport upgraded to an electronic book.
The Ministry of Tourism is to further encourage people to take part by highlighting the scheme’s benefits as it gears up for the 7th National Clean City Day on Monday, which will be attended by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Hun Sen is due to deliver a message calling on people to pay greater regard to hygiene and sanitation.
