Cambodia kicks off clean city contest to attract more tourists

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  • Tuesday, February 28, 2012
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    PHNOM PENH (Herald) - Prime Minister Hun Sen kicked off a clean city contest Monday in an attempt to transform Cambodia into a more attractive country for foreign tourists.

    "We have to develop the Kingdom of Cambodia as a beautiful country which is more attractive and environmentally-protective as well as a country that helps reduce the source of global warming," he told a ceremony at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.

    Hun Sen sad the world had paid great attention to urban management and conservation based on sustainable principles, noting that two-thirds of the population will reside in cities by 2050, consuming 60 percent of energy resources and releasing 80 percent of the world's CO2.

    "Therefore, we have to take sound management into high consideration to realize the concept of 'More with Less'. The world also has to pay great attention to Eco-Cities for the purpose of highly effective use of natural resources," he said.

    The prime minister said the contest was being organized to foster a responsible spirit among relevant partners including public organizations, tourism agencies, tourists and all Cambodians.

    Hun Sen also also said that the government had decided to establish a National Committee for Clean City Evaluation to monitor, implement, advise and consult with cities and urban quarters to promote and sustain their charms, hygiene and the environment.

    The aim is to create "warm living areas" with socio-economic development based on a common standard in accordance with sustainable and responsible development principles, he said.

    Tourism is still booming in Cambodia with visitor arrivals reaching 2.88 million in 2011, up 15 percent from a year earlier.

    “It is expected that the visitors will increase to up to 3.2 million in 2012, 4.5 million in 2015, and 7 million in 2020,” Tourism Minister Thong Khon told Monday's ceremony.

    Twenty-six cities and nine quarters in Phnom Penh are obliged to take part in the contest with the winner being awarded a clean city logo valid for three years.



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