The Ministry of Environment’s (MoE) recent launch of ‘Plastic-Free National Roads’, a nationwide campaign was welcomed by the Kingdom’s tourism sector vendors, with commentators confirming that ongoing efforts to reduce plastic waste in public areas plays an important role in Cambodia’s image in the eyes of incoming international tourists, and a step in the right direction in the drive towards boosting Cambodia to become an eco-tourism leader within Southeast Asia.
According to Bas van der Laan, Founder and Manager at the Hotel Old Cinema Kampot, eco-friendly campaigns such as the MoE’s ongoing drive to reduce plastic waste in public areas is proving increasingly important in driving the nation’s tourism sector growth.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Van Der Laan said that foreigners visiting Cambodia are more and more focused on concerns regarding the environment and sustainability.
He said that plastics lingering around Kampot town and along the riverside, for instance, have previously had a negative impact on guests’ perception of the country.
“With an increasing global focus on sustainability and waste management, this factor will become even more important in the future when travelers are deciding their travel destination,” he said.
Applauding various campaigns initiated by the local government and state authorities in recent periods, Van Der Laan said, “There is a huge opportunity for Cambodia to act on these environmental issues and become recognized as a Southeast Asian frontrunner in the global ecotourism sector.”
With that in mind, he said that “all moves to tackle waste management are massively appreciated within the tourism industry”.
Minister of Environment, Eang Sophalleth, during the announcement of the ‘Plastic-Free National Roads’ initiative earlier this month, also called upon both public and private stakeholders to get involved in waste reduction drives by organising activities to clean-up plastic waste in their respective areas, alongside the strengthening of waste management, plastic waste systems and public awareness around the issue.
This call to action by the MoE is welcomed by private-sector tourism vendors, some of which are already getting their hands dirty to ensure a plastic-free experience for guests.
Alexandre Rebibo, owner and operator of two resorts on Koh Rong Island, Anaya and Tamu Koh Rong, said that maintaining a pristine and clean environment in tourism areas such as Koh Rong must be a top priority for the sector’s long-term development, and therefore something that vendors such as himself are happy to take an active role in.
Initiatives already underway include limiting the use of plastic, organizing beach clean-ups, and implementing eco-friendly practices in tourism ventures on the island, detailed Rebibo.
Additionally, both the public and private sectors are increasingly collaborating on such initiatives, including waste management programs, and promoting responsible tourism practices island-wide, he added.
This work related to environmental preservation is crucial now and in the future, he said, because the island attracts more tourists than other locations primarily because it remains wild and unspoiled.
“While the island’s new international airport may enhance accessibility and attract more visitors, when I discuss with travel agencies and tourists, they are concerned about its ecological impact, especially on a pristine island like Koh Rong,” said Rebibo.
Therefore sustainable development is a top priority, of which many hotels on the island are taking steps to promote, he said.
This year’s ‘Plastic-Free National Roads’ campaign is effectively building on past successes in nationwide waste management and awareness.
In 2024, the campaign to reduce plastic imports led to an 80 percent reduction in plastic imports, according to the MoE.
Last year also saw a sizable drop in plastic litter on the streets in 11 provinces, with an 80 percent reduction in waste compared to 2023.
- Tags: MoE, Plastic waste reduction
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