SIEM REAP- The temple town hard hit by lockdowns, finds near-apocalyptic scenes with extreme levels of abandoned shop fronts and sense of despair.
13/07/2020
TEMPLE TOWN HIT HARD BY LOCKDOWNS
Pub Street, Siem Reap, a once-tourism hotspot finds near-apocalyptic scenes with extreme levels of abandoned shop fronts and sense of despair.
Established in the early 1990s after mass tourism came to the Kingdom, Pub Street has brought in much- needed foreign currency from tourists looking to eat and drink after a day spent exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat.
It was this foreign currency that turned the street from only a few makeshift bars into the town’s economic powerhouse, bringing much-needed employment into a province still considered as one of the poorest in the country.
Above; Pub Street pre-pandemic.
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat, the ancient temple ruins of the Khmer Empire. Set along the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital, pre-pandemic boasted hundreds of sightseeing opportunities such as well-preserved colonial buildings, museums, traditional markets, and cultural performances.
However, despite Siem Reap province publicising “its reopening” last month to boost domestic tourism, walking down the famous road post-pandemic, you will only find abandoned, shuttered and permanently closed businesses.
With business owners along the street facing the prospect of three to five years of significantly lower arrivals, many have cashed in anything of value such as stock and other equipment and are now looking to other opportunities.
Above; Pub Street post-pandemic.
While official figures state that as of last month 18 hotels and 96 guesthouses in Siem Reap have permanently closed, 172 hotels and 99 guesthouses have temporarily halted operations with only 40 hotels and 66 guesthouses remain fully operational.
The devastating impact of Cabodia's 'state of emergency' is affecting about 8,000 workers, according to Siem Reap provincial tourism department director Ngov Seng Kak.
Above: Shuttered shop units and an empty market Siem Reap.
There are now serious concerns that with such little foreign arrivals predicted especially from Europe and America over the next three to five years the majority of remaining businesses will be forced to close. Leaving some to fear that the town may never be the same again.
However officials are pinning their hopes on a 'master plan' that will see the return of tourists back to Siem Reap.
Above; Pub Street pre-pandemic.
THE SIEM REAP TOURISM DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN 2020-2035
Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2020-2035 will explore and identify strategies and action plans to enhance the overall charm of Siem Reap province under the theme “Siem Reap: Beyond the Temple” in conjunction with a wide range of leisure activities.
During the inter-ministerial meeting on the draft of Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2020-2035, Minister's and officials agreed on five main areas to develop Siem Reap province.
Above; Angkor Wat, without the crowds.
The commission agreed that Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2020-2035 will include culture and nature tourism. They said preparing the tourism development master plan for Siem Reap will be an essential mechanism for responding to the current and future situation, which is an important part of the Cambodian vision to transform Siem Reap to be an attractive destination for international tourists and globally recognised for the preservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage, offering a variety of tourist resources and attractions.
“It [the master plan] Siem will ensure maximum socio-economic benefits from the tourism sector, meaning the historical sites of Angkor, the cities on the Tonle Sap river, the Kulen Mountain National Park and rural areas are tourism destinations that will bring local economic development and poverty reduction,” said the commission.
Above; Waterfall at the Kulen Mountain National Park.
SIEM REAP TOURISM DEVELOPMENT 'MASTER PLAN' REJECTS LARGE-SCALE TOURISM
The commission agreed that Siem Reap must transform from a large-scale tourism destination to a quality tourism destination to attract tourists to visit again and again and to attract high-end tourists to boost local incomes and build a sustainable local economy.
The sustainable tourism development for Siem Reap toward the year 2035 should be focused five strategies providing new impetus for Siem Reap’s tourism development by respecting and promoting a clean environment and diversity of tourism by launching new tourism products and activities throughout Siem Reap.
This first strategic axis is to create new tourism development areas for Siem Reap.
The second strategic axis is to establish a new tourism corridor based on the quality and attractiveness of Siem Reap as well as the development of key tourist destinations.
The third strategic axis is to introduce a policy aimed at providing a new identity for Siem Reap (culturally integrated with nature), not to target one visit to one cultural resort, but to promote other tourism resources, especially nature.
Above; 'The Old Market' Psar Chas Road, the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap, post-pandemic.
The fourth strategic axis is the development of a new tourism marketing strategy for Siem Reap tourism and the facilitation of water, land and rail and air connectivity to Siem Reap. One of the aims here is to improve the quality of tourism with improved sanitation, creating a clean city with good human resources in tourism. This strategy is to strengthen tourism management in the region of Angkor, especially the introduction of a better flow of tourists to cultural sites aimed at promoting better access to both quantity and quality.
The fifth strategic axis is to develop governance and institutional mechanisms along with investment strategies (public and private) to support tourism development and implement the master plan.
Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Cambodian chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said the master plan is necessary for the country. He said there should be a clear plan for tourism in each city and province and the implementation must be transparent.
“The master plan for tourism will push development in line with the country’s whole development plan because it has been thoroughly written with a vision in each area for the next three to five years. “I strongly support having a master plan for tourism development,” Sinan said.
The attendees at the inter-ministerial meeting on the draft of Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2020-2035, included Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, who is the head of the inter-ministerial commission together with Minister of Environment Say Samal, Culture and Fine Arts Minister Phoeurng Sackona, and Siem Reap provincial governor Tea Seiha.
SOURCE: Khmer Times
Bangkok
Thailand
Email: support@menzzoo.com
Phone: +66 (0) 828116642