Overview of Cambodia's coastal tourism, its benefits and impacts

2. 1. Demand for coastal tourism – global, national and local
levels
2. Contributions of coastal tourism to sustainable coastal
management
3. Impacts of coastal tourism development
4. Challenges to the management and development of
coastal tourism
5. Existing initiatives and programs on coastal tourism in
Cambodia
6. Perspectives and suggestions for SHV coastal tourism

3. Global context:
ž Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries and is the global
fastest service industry.
ž Tourism generated approximately US$8 trillion in total receipts
during 2008, with an annual growth rate of 3%, down slightly
from 3.9% in 2007 (WTTC, 2008).
ž The next decade (2008-2018) is expected to see mature, yet
steady growth averaging 4.4% in spite of the current global
economic downturn.
ž Coastal tourism is one of the fastest growing form of tourism
and has gained its momentum in recent decades (UNWTO,
2007).

4. Global context:
ž Significant examples:
- Mediterranean coastal areas hosted some 250 millions of visitors in
2008, and this number will reach 312 millions by 2025 (Blue Plan, 2005).
- European Commission Data: 63% of the European holiday makers
prefer the coastal areas.
ž Global coastal tourism is increasingly growing in importance with regard
to its magnitude and contribution to national economies as well as to the
wellbeing of local communities.
- Just (coastal) tourism and other services alone in Cyprus contributed
78.6% to the national GDP in 2008.

5. National context:
ž Tourism has been one of the vital pillarstones for Cambodia’s
economic growth and development since the early 1990s.
ž 2,161,577 international visitor arrivals & about US$ 1.6 billion
tourism receipts in 2009.
ž Integration into national policies – national economy
strengthening, poverty reduction, environmental preservation ...
ž Urgent needs for the development and diversification of tourism
products and services in other areas beside Siem Reap Angkor
Region to extend tourists’ length of stay, tourist expenditure,
and facilitate tourist revisitation.
ž Improved tourist facilitation and development age of new
destinations, i.e. coastal areas after Angkor.

6. 2.87
3.07
3.30

7. Local context – Preah Sihanouk Province:
ž Tourism a major source of revenues following fishery & agriculture.
ž Tourism as a priority tool to entice diversified tourist consumers,
while strengthening & upgrading quality of tourism offer and
services in Cambodia.
ž Recognition of a link between tourism and local economic
stimulation, between poverty alleviation and sustainable coastal
management.
ž Cambodia is encouraged to implement ICM programs – SHV is
selected by PEMSEA as a development paradigm since 2001 due
to its socio-economic, coastal demographic and ecological
significance.

8. Local context:
ž Rapid annual growth rates of domestic and
international tourist markets
- 2001: 103,568 - 2006: 288,428
- 2004: 144,995 - 2006: 288,428
- 2008: 532,518
- 2010 (by August):
419,577 – 13.34% increased (foreign visitors - 95,177)
- Domestic tourists: 70%; international tourists: 30%

9. Local context:
ž Factors contributing to tourism growth in SHV
- Unique and high quality characteristics of coastal and marine resources
- Plethora of fascinating tourist attractions (beaches, watershed/waterfalls,
deep-water port, national park, islands, mangroves, coral reefs ...)
- Suitable for daytrip, overnight stay, and long relaxation
- Improved facilitation and development of new facilities and services (i.e.
cruise tours, island resorts, scuba diving / snorkeling programs ...)
- Improved transportation systems & infra/super-structural services
- Development of alternative & special interest tourism activities (i.e. CBET,
ecotourism, island tourism, adventure tourism ...)
- International accreditation/certification – i.e. Asia’s Best Beaches
- Improved hospitality and quality of products and services
- Increased awareness and participation

10. ž Interdependency between coastal tourism and healthy, high
quality coastal and marine environments.
ž Increased stakeholders’ awareness and involvement – interlink
between sustainable natural resource management / use and
sustainable livelihoods / businesses.
ž Rise in coastal and marine management initiatives (local,
national, and regional) for preservation, protection, and
sustainable development of SHV coastal and marine
environments.
ž Coastal tourism generates revenues for conservation activities
and the strengthening of environmental governance.

11. Coastal Tourism?
Coastal tourism is based on a unique resource combination at
the interface of land and sea offering amenities such as water,
beaches, scenic beauty, rich terrestrial and marine biodiversity,
diversified cultural and historic heritage, healthy food and good
infrastructure. It includes a diversity of activities that take place
in both coastal zone and coastal waters, which involve the
development of tourism capacities (hotels, resorts, second
homes, restaurants, etc.) and support infrastructure (ports,
marinas, fishing and diving shops, and other facilities).
(UNEP, 2009, p.14)

12. Coastal Tourism?
Besides physical conditions, the development of tourism in
coastal areas is related to socio-economic features of the
receiving environment such as local community interests, health
and security conditions, political factors including unpredictable
crises, exchange rate fluctuations, and traditional models of
tourism exploitation or, simply, a successful or less effective
marketing-led depiction of a destination.
(UNEP, 2009, p.14)

13. Positives:
ž Increased job opportunities for local communities;
ž Increases local and national incomes and improved local economy;
ž Increased infrastructural and superstructural development and
improved security and health conditions in the area;
ž Enhanced aesthetic and natural standards;
ž Increased local populations’ awareness of the value of coastal and
marine environment and resources;
ž Increased participation in preservation, protection, and management of
natural environment in a timely and sustainable manner;
ž Well-planned urbanization and provincial land use planning; etc.

14. Negatives: Increased urbanization, uncontrolled development & mass
coastal tourism could result in:
ž Land grabbing/encroachment and land speculation
ž Conflicts over natural resource consumption
ž Increased demands on existing resources that result in deteriorated landscapes
ž Decline in or loss of natural habitats and rare plant and animal species
ž Increased influx of in-migrants
ž Increased energy and water use
ž Pollution and increased disposal of wastes
ž Exchange and dispersion of diseases
ž Changes in the perception and understanding of the environment
ž Changes in cultural norms and practices and other local socio-cultural fabric
ž Loss of socio-cultural values (diversity and integrity) and identities
ž Socio-economic imbalance between local communities living in the area or in
close proximity to development zones

15. The Tourist Area Life-cycle (Bulter, 1986)

16. Symptoms of Decline of Coastal Tourism Resort

18. 1. Institutional challenge, legal challenge, and policy
challenge
2. Uncontrolled development leading to destructive mass
tourism
3. Seasonality of demand and changing demand systems
4. Over-exploitation of coastal and marine resources
5. Limited quantities of energy and water
6. Threats to wildlife and natural habitats
7. Security for tourists / visitors
8. Tourism service quality and hospitality
9. Growing development pressures and impacts on coastal
areas

19. 10.Fluctuation and inflation in price of tourism products and services
11.Challenges for planning & management of structural socio-
cultural changes
12.Climate change and natural and man-made disasters
13.Increased regional and international competition
14.Impacts of globalization
15.Specialization of coastal tourism resorts
16.Diversification and development of coastal tourism products /
services
17.Identification of logical, attainable pathways to sustainability

20. Human
Institution
Economic
Socio-cultural Ecological
Environment
Community Welfare
Tourist
Welfare
Tourism
Industry
Conventional Approach Modern Approach

22. Government &
Line Departments
Private Sector /
Tourism Industry
Local
Communities
Civil Society
Organizations
Academic &
Research
Institutions
Inter-
governmental
Organizations

23. Policies and Legislations:
ž National coastal steering committee (2001)
ž Master plan for tourism development in the coastal zone
(2004)
ž Strategic plans for reaction and reduction of marine
polluted from inland (2008)
ž The integration of the coastal strategy implementation plan
into SHV public investment plan for 2005-2007 and
2009-2011
ž SHV coastal strategy (2003)
ž PEMSEA initiatives since 2001 for ICM

24. Policies and Legislations:
ž Establishment of multi-stakeholder working group and task
team for ICM implementation –- multi-sectoral participation
mechanisms
ž Scaling up of ICM implementation to cover other areas and
issues, including waste management, protected area
management & tourism development, natural and mad-
made hazards management
ž Integration of ICM into strategic development plans of SHV
local governments
ž Beach development and management initiatives
ž Development of deliberate alternative tourism and special
interest tourism in SHV

27.
Strategic
Plan
for
Sustainable
Coastal
Tourism
Development
1.
Strategic
Plan
Development
5.
Stakeholder
Involvement
2.
Integrated
Coastal
Management
4.
Carrying
Capacity
Assessment
3.
UNEP/UNWTO
Sustainable
Tourism
Principles
27

28. ž Reduce the rate of growth in tourism development
ž Upgrade and diversify the tourism product by utilizing coastal
environmental and cultural attractions
ž Reposition Cambodia’s coastal areas as a single and multi-
purpose destination
ž Spread equal benefit sharing
ž Attract more diverse quality, high spending markets – targeting &
segmentation
ž Increase off-season tourism activities and events
ž Increase the level of spending and length of stay per tourist
ž Adapt “low-volume but high value” tourist markets

29. ž Reduce strong emphasis on “sea-sun-sand” tourism by adapting
more alternative and special interest tourism
ž Promote and marketing the Cambodia’s coastal areas as “a mosaic
of unique/authentic nature and culture” as a whole
ž Establish Cambodia’s coastal tourism organization or committee
ž Quality tourism policies must be based on a pragmatic assessment of
the destination’s potential in terms of physical, cultural and social
resources and the markets it might attract
ž Multi-stakeholder participation and intervention in coastal resort
planning, development & management
ž Adapt UNEP/UNWTO/PEMSEA ICM principles for coastal tourism
ž Appropriate land use planning and land zoning and
management