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H.E
THONG KHON
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Friends, |
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May
I join my Minister, H.E. Veng Sereyvuth, Senior
Minister, Minister of Tourism, in welcoming all
guests and tourists to our wonderful nation. The
Royal Government of Cambodia has officially designated
this year Visit Cambodia
Year 2003, and we are pleased to
inform all visitors that Cambodia truly is "A
World of Treasures" as our slogan suggests.
The
magnificent Angkor Wat temple and the many other
historical sites in Siem Reap Province have much
to offer our guests, but so do other provinces
in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Depending on visitors'
interests, the capital, Phnom Penh, too has many
interesting things to see and do. In addition
to the Royal Grand Palace, there is the National
Museum, Wat Phnom and the confluence of rivers
at Chaktomuk, just to name a few. The mysterious
but beautiful Rattanakiri resorts have been attracting
many nature-loving visitors lately, and to the
west, the Banteay Meanchey Province offers yet
another
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form
of entertainment in the casinos at Poipet. Overall,
there is no shortage of attractions to satisfy visitors
and tourists coming to Cambodia.
After the general elections of 1998, Samdech Hun
Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia,
brought peace to the people. Under his leadership,
the government has taken all necessary measures
to maintain political stability and to ensure security
throughout the country, making it possible for tourists
and visitors to tour our country without worrying
about security problems. The government considers
tourism to be one of the priority sectors for economic
development, and Cambodia's tourism development
is focused on "Natural and Cultural Tourism". |
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The Angkor Wat temples
are celebrated to be one of the Wonders
of the World and is indeed a must-visit
destination
when in Cambodia.
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A Royal Palace building-
Phnom Penh’s prime tourist destination
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Based
on recorded annual growth, it is projected
that the number of tourists visiting Cambodia
will increase to 1 million or more in 2003.
There have been positive impacts on the overall
national economy due to tourism, as reflected
in the growth of national revenue. It is of
interest to note that an estimated 100,000
Cambodian are now working in the tourism industries.
Over time, tourism will become a key factor
in our efforts to alleviate poverty and ensure
sustainable socio-economic growth.
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But
in our efforts to revive tourism to provide
for socio-economic development
and the alleviation of poverty, |
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Wat Phnom, situated in
the heart of Phnom Penh, is highly revered
by locals and foreigners who have received
an answer to their prayers. A garden surrounds
this man-made hill, making it one of the
capital’s top tour destinations.
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we
are also concerned about some social issues
that are accompanying the growth of tourism
in many countries around the world, including
Cambodia. There have been some negative
impacts associated with tourism, including
rising crime rates and drug use, as well as
increases in the trafficking of women and
children and prostitution. Like nearly all
other countries in the world, Cambodia also
faces the problem of the commercial sexual
exploitation of children, and we have every
reason to believe that an increasing number
of Cambodian children are becoming victims.
Research
has shown that most of the problems have
arisen as a
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Rattanak Kiri - Currently
Cambodia’s top eco-tourism destination.
It boasts the country’s best natural
spots where tracking is best done on elephant
back.
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| result
of poverty, illiteracy and a lack of effective
law enforcement. Approximately 37 per cent
of the total Cambodian population live below
the poverty line, and this high level of poverty
has been one of the main contributing factors
to children leaving home in search of employment
to subsidize household incomes. Young girls
who are still immature both physically and
mentally, face numerous |
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problems
once away from their families and often have
trouble finding work on their own. They run
the risk of being tricked by procurers who
promise them well-paying jobs or boyfriends
who deceive them, |
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Tourists enjoying the
classical Apsara dance performance in front
of the Pimeanakas temple in Siem Reap,
just as it was in the past.
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and
may end up being lured, most often against
their will, to work in commercial sex establishments.
These girls are often brutalized both physically
and mentally, and risk being raped, beaten,
drugged and deprived of the most basic of
human liberties.
Cambodia
has a number of laws to protect children,
including laws on the suppression of the
kidnapping and trafficking/sale of human
persons and exploitation of human persons.
We are working
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Young children hawk their
wares to restaurant customers each night.
This eight-year-old girl was lucky enough
to earn a little money from these diners
by promising to sing five songs for the
purchase of a bunch of flowers. Such children
innocently try to make a decent living selling
flowers and candy. They deserve our support
and should not be abused.
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around
the clock to ensure that our children are protected,
and will prosecute to the full extent of the law
anyone taking part in such criminal activity.
On that note, allow me to extend a very warm welcome
to you and thank you for visiting. I urge you
to explore and to take advantage of the many historical,
cultural and natural wonders this country has
to offer. Do interact with our friendly people
during your visit here in Cambodia and enjoy the
many diversities of our heritage. Cambodia is
truly a "World of Treasures". Please
help us to maintain the peace that we now enjoy
and help also to preserve our cultural heritage
for the enjoyment of all the other tourists who
may visit after you.
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Suite
B8, Regency Square, InterContinental Hotel, 294 Mao Tse Toung
Boulevard,
Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Tel: (855) 23 213 133 Fax: (855) 23 213 033
E-mail:
editor@leisurecambodia.com |
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