The Ministry of Environment as of September 2022 has approved 307 small-scale ecotourism development projects covering 2,670 hectares in the Natural Resource Protection and Cambodia Biodiversity Conservation Corridor.

Under the framework of the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (CSLEP), financed in part by the World Bank, the Ministry of Environment has been preparing three important announcements to further strengthen the development of tourism.

The first will be Prakas (official proclamation) on guidelines for implementation of small-scale eco-tourism projects on an area below 10 hectares in the protected areas for not more than 15 years.

Second Prakas will focus on guidelines for the implementation of large-scale nature tourism projects by preparing land lease agreements for a period not exceeding 50 years.

The third Prakas will be on the organisation and service of ecotourism communities located in the protected areas and biodiversity corridors.

The Ministry on October 3, 2022, also announced the implementation of guidelines for small-scale ecotourism projects with an area of fewer than 10 hectares in the protected areas and biodiversity corridors.

It also aims to provide guidance and facilitate the implementation of small-scale ecotourism projects in the protected areas and biodiversity corridors, and to determine the scope of implementation of large-scale projects on land not exceeding 10 hectares.

Rath Virak, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, said, “to achieve the strategic objectives, the Ministry continues to modernize institutions, adjust the ways of modern administration and financial management, and transfer functions to the sub-national administration and strengthen the capacity of civil servants. The Ministry is also working on strengthening the legal framework in the field of the environment by revising and integrating existing laws into a single ‘Code of Environment and Natural Resources.”

The Ministry has also been preparing draft laws and regulations on environmental quality management, solid waste management, protected area management, biodiversity conservation and environmental education.

Strategies like the National Environment Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2023, the National Protected Area Strategic Management Plan (NPASMP) and the incorporation of environmental goals, objectives and activities into the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are also being prepared.

“The Royal Government has approved the implementation of a strategic document for the development of tourism in the country, including a roadmap to restore and promote tourism in Cambodia during and after the Covid-19 crisis, and policy measures to promote the internal tourism movement in 2021-2023,” he said.

At the provincial level, the Royal Government has officially launched the “Tourism Development Master Plan Siem Reap 2021-2035” and plans to approve and implement the Kep Tourism Development Master Plan 2022-2035.