Prime Minister Hun Sen urged the public to pay more attention to enhancing green development in order to attract tourists for the benefit of the national economy, according to a letter from Honorary Chairman of the National Committee for Clean City Assessment Prime Minister Hun Sen on the occasion of the 11th National Clean City Day 2023.

Hun Sen stated in the letter that calling for more attention to enhancing green development and providing good hospitality contributes to tourism and social development.

He continued that the celebration of the national clean city day really contributes to inspiring and encouraging all compatriots, especially Khmer youths, to pay more attention to green development and provide good hospitality that contributes to tourism and social development.

“Cambodia must continue to pay close attention to some key works such as continuing to reduce poverty, improve people’s lives, health and wellbeing and sustainability in cities, and responding to climate change and protection and conservation work for natural resources.

“Urban development is not only about cleanliness, good environment, infrastructure, enhancing social welfare, preservation and promotion of traditional culture, but it is also about providing good hospitality, friendly and a warm welcome to local and international guests by showing Cambodian’s character and good hospitality,” he stated.

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon also stated that the main purpose of the clean city competition was to ensure that all towns and capital-provinces had waste and rubbish under close management and were developing their towns or districts to become clean cities and smart cities that were economically competitive and attractive to tourism with sustainable environmental protections and social responsibility.

He added that the Clean City Competition movement has really contributed to the balance of social and economic development with the conservation of natural, cultural and environmental resources in cities and towns to ensure the sustainability of Cambodia’s tourism development.

“The resumption of tourism has allowed about 85 per cent of tourism businesses to reopen after being closed or suspended,” he said.

Cambodia is hosting the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games and expects to receive about four million international tourists and about 15 million local tourists.

The 11th National Clean City Day also saw the announcement of the 3rd Clean City Awards that went to 20 winners.

The “triple-rumduol flower” winners were Sihanoukville and Daun Penh district, as well as Battambang, Siem Reap, Kep, Kampot and Kampong Cham towns.

The “double-rumduol flower” winners were Tuol Kork and Prampi Makara districts, as well as Kampong Chhnang, Banlung, Pursat, Poipet town, Chbar Mon, Kratie, Sisophon, Stung Sen, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng towns.

The rumduol is the national flower of Cambodia.