Cambodia showcases tourism potential of waterways at 7th River Festival

Monday, March 13, 2023

In order to showcase the tourism potential of the Mekong River and other waterways, the eighth River Festival in Cambodia was held in Kampong Thom.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who attended the River Festival’s opening ceremony on March 9, stated the festival had been put on hold for three years owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Reiterating the significance of the festival in promoting tourism, the Premier said, “Peace is the most important factor for the sustainable development of tourism – cultural and eco-tourism – which is considered as ‘green gold’. This festival has not only promoted tourism potential in provinces along the rivers but also supported the government’s policy in developing areas along the rivers sustainably and responsibly.”

He stated that the Mekong River has boosted connection, friendliness, and solidarity among ASEAN nations, as well as the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.

“I strongly believe that this river festival will create a new opportunity for Cambodia to become a quality tourism destination, contributing to increasing income, creating jobs, and reducing poverty for local people along the rivers,” he said.

The three-day event featured art performances, concerts, and fireworks, a Khmer and international food and beverage fair, a tourism product exhibition, an agri-tourism and local commercial products exhibition, and the presentation of tourism development projects from each province along the river, as well as sports activities.

According to organisers, around 500 Cambodian items were presented, marketed, and sold at expo booths.

Coconut, milk, fish sauce, coconut oil, lemongrass oil, betel leaf oil, silk fabric, Krama (scarves), banana powder, palm goods, cocoa products, cashew nut, sausage, dried fishes, pounded rice, beverage, cuisine, agricultural products, souvenirs, and other items are on show.

The river festival attracted more than one million tourists in three days, according to the official figures. Tourism Minister Thong Khon said, “From March 7 to 10, 2023, the 7th River Festival in Kampong Thom Province attracted about 1,128,500 tourists.”

Khon stated that the majority of tourists came from nine cities and districts in Kampong Thom province, as well as from border provinces, particularly those surrounding the Tonle Sap Lake, such as Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Preah Vihear, Battambang, and Pursat. Kratie Province, Stung Treng.

The riparian provinces organise the River Festival on a rotating basis each year. The first round was held in 2015 at Kratie, followed by Stung Treng, Kampong Cham, Thbong Khmum, Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, and Battambang.

Talking at the closing ceremony of the seventh River Festival on March 10, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said, “Tourism is the seller, agriculture is the producer, the environment is both producer and protection, and culture is both protection and promotion, so the promotion of those products is through tourism events.”

He emphasised Cambodia’s rich cultural potential, including physical and intangible culture, history, tradition, and variety. Cambodia has an extraordinary World Heritage tourist network.

Tourism events provide chances to market the goods of communities, forests, ecotourism communities, and other communities managed by the Ministry of Environment and other organisations. Because cleanliness is an attraction, events tourism is also a chance for teaching, advice, and dissemination to people, youth, students, and students to engage in the conservation of forests, environment, hygiene, greenery, rubbish, and waste, he noted.

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