In Chi Pat, Eco-Tourism Helps Reduce Illegal Jobs
Chi Pat’s CBET is located in the eponym commune, in Koh Kong province’s Thma Bang district. Photo: Wildlife Alliance
- By Chhum Chantha
- July 7, 2023 11:53 AM
PHNOM PENH – People who work in the eco-tourism business in Chi Phat say they are generally happier with their current jobs than when they worked in logging and hunting.
Orn Sovan, the manager of the Chi Phat Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) site, said the number of tourists visiting them has grown since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, which helps community members improve their livelihood.
Chi Pat’s CBET is located in the eponym commune, in Koh Kong province’s Thma Bang district. While the commune is home to 640 families, 332 are members of the CBET.
Being surrounded by a lush rainforest, the community organizes treks in the jungle and village-based activities to show local and international tourists how Cambodians have lived for centuries in remote areas.
“Those 332 families that are members of the community receive direct benefits from tourism activities,” said Orn Sovan, citing the examples of guides, who usually earn at least $15 a day from treks in the jungle.
While the economic spin-offs primarily benefit members of the eco-tourism community, the remaining families can still sell visitors agricultural products they’ve harvested or various local souvenirs.
In addition to trekking in the jungle, tourists can go on boat trips on the Preak Piphot River to see birds and other wildlife along the creeks. Tours to ancient burial sites are also organized, especially to see ancient coffins and jars dating 500 years which lie in a cave at the top of the Pel Mountain.
The Community-Based Ecotourism site offers different kinds of accommodations, from tents to guesthouses or resorts. Visitors can also rent bikes or motorbikes to go visit the whereabouts.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Te Chhaysinh for Cambodianess.
