Kampong Speu: Instead of Alcohol, Billboards Promote Provincial Tourism Hotspots
About 60 billboards promoting tourist sites in Kampong Speu province have been installed along National Road 4, primarily in and around Chbar Mon city, the capital of the western province. Photo from Facebook account Land of Scholar
- By Sem Brakdav
- December 12, 2023 11:55 AM
PHNOM PENH – About 60 billboards promoting tourist sites in Kampong Speu province have been installed along National Road 4, primarily in and around Chbar Mon city, the capital of the western province.
Ros Sok, the director of the Kampong Speu Provincial Department of Tourism said these ads have been in place since October and replace older commercials promoting alcoholic beverages.
Two years ago, Kampong Speu Provincial Governor Vei Samnang called for the removal of all alcohol ads on billboards in a move to reduce alcohol consumption. The increase in alcohol advertising in public areas was a source of concern for both local authorities and citizens as it encouraged more people to drink.
Ros Sok said that the Tourism Department took the opportunity to install tourism-related ads on the vacant billboards, adding that the province will continue promoting tourism sites on billboards indefinitely.
“We will work closely with other relevant officials to develop more beautiful tourist sites for the sake of everyone,” he said.
“We would like to call for cooperation from citizens and communities to pay more attention to safety, and hygiene and to build more toilets in tourist areas.
“In addition, we would like to call on more travelers to visit the province as it will increase employment for the local people and avoid deforestation,” he said.
Billboards across the province now showcase the natural landscapes of Preah Suramarit-Kossamak Kirirom National Park, Phnom Aoral, Khnong Phsar Mountain Peak, Chambok Community-Based Ecotourism Site, Chreav Ecotourism Community, Ampe Phnom Natural Resort, Te Teuk Pus hot spring, among others.
In the first 11 months of 2023, Kampong Speu province received 642,956 tourists, including 633,641 national visitors and 9,315 international travelers, an increase of about 8 percent compared to the same period last year.
According to a report from the Department of Tourism, tourists mainly visit the Kirirom National Park, Chreav Waterfall, Khnong Phsar Mountain Peak, and Phnom Aoral.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
