Cambodia has become the foremost center of tourism in Asia in the last span of time.
The country has topped all international rankings in areas of tourism growth, revenues, tourism satisfaction and has transformed itself in an area of encounters for world leaders in development and cooperation.
The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Academician Hun Sen, re-affirmed tourism´s role as the most important agenda item for the sustainable development of Cambodia´s economy as he received the leaders of global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy on evaluation visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
President of global tourism institutions: ECTT and European Tourism Academy, Academician Professor Dr. Anton Caragea received by H.E. Academician Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia and Global Ambassador for Tourism and SDG`s.
“In spite of the worldwide economic crisis, Cambodia enjoys continuous tourism growth.
Tourism in Cambodia grew from zero to 5.2 million foreign visitors expected this year of 2018,” said Prime Minister Academician Hun Sen.
“Tourism development has been taken by the Cambodian government as a priority for the sustainable development of our cultural and natural heritage sites,” he added.
“Cambodia´s is fairing best in the world tourism development field growing from 3 million tourist in 2015 to a projected 6 million in 2019 and this is the globe`s most impressive tourism achievements.
Cambodia is a true success story that registered the impressive victories of being named WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and to have in Phnom Penh named as the first Asian city to become a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM stated ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.
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Main world tourism and culture awards ceremonies are listed here:
“With its wide variety of European Council on Tourism and Trade ECTT heritage sites, Cambodia continues and will continue to draw tourists from all over the world and we are very happy to see the country placing tourism as a priority in their development agenda.”
More about Global Ambassadors of Tourism and Sustainable Development Goals can be accessed here:
Cambodia´s tourism has experienced a significant growth over the years, from 460,000 visitors in 2000 to 4.2 million in 2016(when the nation was voted as WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION), or an increase of 1000% over the 2000 benchmark.
International tourism generated US$ 3.8 billion in receipts in 2018.
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Phnom Penh-the new WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
During his visit to Cambodia ECTT-European Council on Tourism and Trade President announced that ECTT and European Tourism Academy will organize the WORLD TOURISM DAY 2019 in Phnom Penh marking tourism opportunities in the Kingdom of Cambodia and highlighting Phnom Penh as the perfect destination for cultural, luxury and heritage tourism.
Landmarks of European Council on Tourism and Trade Presidential Delegation visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Battamang-the future center of tourism development stage in the Kingdom of Cambodia. The first leg of ECTT discovery trip.
Banteay Meanchey: a treasure fountain of culture and heritage.
The Wat Ek Phnom archaeological site
Siem Reap Province. The Bakong Temple. A perfect stop-over for history aficionados.
Kampong Thom Province. Sambor Prey Kuk -UNESCO heritage site. European Tourism Academy shortlisted for World Capital of Culture and Tourism status.
Banteay Chhmar temple- a symbol of ever victorious spirit of Khmer People.
Cambodia under Academician Hun SEN, the most extraordinary Prime Minister that the nation had ever had has become a model for development, an independent and people oriented country and a symbol for tourism and national resurgence-ECTT President Dr. Anton Caragea.
The worldwide community of museums is to celebrate International Museum Day on and around 18 May 2018.
In order to better mark this international day, the global tourism and cultural institution: European Council on Tourism and Trade decided to award the title of World`s Favorite Museum to The National Museum of Cambodia.
It is also a vindication of the country incredible cultural heritage and legacy stretching for more than two millenniums.
Cambodia succeeds one more time to shine on world cultural stage as the National Museum based in Phnom Penh gets on the list of World`s Favorite Museums.
National Museum of Cambodia is named for the second year as World`s Favourite Museum.
With over 1 million visitors per year and over 14.000 objects and artifacts, the museum takes a leading role in the world of culture and has received a host of world dignitaries in the last years when the Museum has become a symbol of Cambodia’s recent renaissance and a tourism center after the country was named WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.
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What to do visit in Cambodia and Phnom Penh? Here are some suggestions:
The history of the National Museum of Cambodia goes back to the early 20th century.
It was inaugurated on 13 April 1920, under the patronage of King Sisowath and is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Khmer cultural artifacts including sculpture, ceramics and ethnographic objects from the prehistoric, pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and post-Angkorian periods.
King Sisowath statue adorns the center of Phnom Penh.
He was the creator of National Museum of Cambodia.
The Museum promotes awareness, understanding and appreciation of Cambodia‘s heritage through the presentation, conservation, safekeeping, interpretation and acquisition of Cambodian cultural material.
It aims to educate and inspire its visitors with a humongous collection of huge Buddhas, Vishnu`s, and Shiva’s, cryptic and poetic inscription fragments, intimidating weaponry, and elegant vases.
The museum carries a remarkably thorough vision of Cambodia’s art, from the pre-history to the post-Angkor periods.
Angkor period statues: the main highlight of the National Museum of Cambodia.
Not only the large art collections or the valuable patrimony had made the museum to top the list of world`s museums, but also the educational trail offered to visitors was taken into consideration as is offering the opportunity to delve into history, to be affordable and effortless and helping visitors to understand, contemplate and relax at the same time.
The Kingdom of Cambodia is hosting a plethora of significant museums like: SIEM REAP based Angkor National Museum, the incredible SAMBOR PREI KUKarchaeological site and the more recent addition to the cultural landscape of the Kingdom: PREY NOKOR KNUNG, a generous religious and historical cultural center dedicated to SDECH KHAN, one of the most famous rulers of Cambodia.
On May 20, 2018, on the function of INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea will present the global role and significance of the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA and will officially recognized the cultural establishment as a WORLD`S FAVORITE MUSEUM for his priceless artifacts and outstanding contribution to the human civilization understanding.
More information about INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY can be accessed here:
The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of the fact that, “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” Organised on and around 18 May each year, the events and activities planned to celebrate International Museum Day can last a day, a weekend or a whole week.
Participation in International Museum Day is growing among museums all over the world. In 2017, more than 36,000 museums participated in the event in some 157 countries.
PHNOM PENH: THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
Pomp, pageantry and a powerful motion of confidence in the future of Kingdom of Cambodia tourism, cultural and development potential where the trademarks of the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM celebration dedicated to Phnom Penh, the booming capital of Cambodia.
On December 9, 2017 in the presence of over 3.000 guests, diplomats, tourism and culture experts, members of the Parliamentary Assembly for the Sustainable Development Goals, members of the Royal Government of Cambodia and of the Royal Parliament of Cambodia and European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates and many others high level guests attended the official ceremony for WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM handover for PHNOM PENH has taken place.
In the pomp and ceremony of the event the Director of The EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY, Academician Dr. MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU outlined the reasons and the arguments for the inscription of Phnom Penh as one of the world landmark cities.
Here is the full text of the presentation:
ACADEMICIAN MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU: Phnom Penh – is a city that it embraces with warmth and gentle attention the soul of the travelers and it’s the real gate to Asia and the unique gem that shines over us with the light of culture and distinction.
Your Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN- Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia,
Your Excellency Dr. Thong Khon – Minister of Tourism,
Esteemed members of Royal Government of Cambodia, members of Parliament of Cambodia, distinguished member’s diplomatic corps
Dear guests,
All protocol observed,
Today is a historical day, is the day when we inscribe the name of another model city on the humanity list of WORLD`S CAPITALS OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.
In carving up the World Capital of Culture and Tourism Program 11 years ago, European Tourism Academy and European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) set for themselves the ambitious task of establishing a world list of cities and regions that are encompassing the legacy of humanity, that are harboring traditions and costumes unique or hosting natural treasures considered to be of outstanding and universal value.
We are ensuring their presence in the limelight so that we and the future generations can enjoy the world’s patrimony wealth and it’s variety.
The international community must give much more support to the activities promoting the heritage, which is central to our civilizations and this is the main role of WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM designation.
During last year`s THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM program enlarged and enriched his focus becoming a part of THE AGENDA FOR HUMANITY and a part of the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda being part and parcel of the global efforts destined to eradicate inequalities, ensure growth, develop education and cultural opportunities for all and supporting investment and development and integration policies where there are more needed.
The full video of the ACADEMICIAN MIRCEA CONSTANTINESCU allocutio for WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: PHNOM PENH!
From an essentially global cultural and tourism program we have evolved in line with the world commitments and concerns onto a world level development program.
On this note I must salute the Government of Kingdom of Cambodia commitment to fulfilling the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations and for ensuring that Phnom Penh it is and continues to be a placed for development, creativity, encouragement of free enterprise and initiative and inclusiveness for all who come to this beautiful city.
Inscribing PHNOM PENH as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM we recognize that culture and history are not resource consumers, but are major economic and development factors, that help countries to develop and enrich themselves in more ways than just simple economic value.
Culture is undoubtedly a fundamental part of our life, is marking our identity and is facilitates our encounter, our dialogue, it helps us to share experiences, to search for unknown territories, to go further and further, is inscribed in our fiber and it defines us, is make us human.
Registering PHNOM PENH as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM we are taking act of the Government of Prime Minister Academician HUN SEN commitments and incredible achievements of the last 30 years in carving cultural and heritage protection programs, in ensuring a permanent growth in the quality of patrimony protection and consolidation, in ensuring the preservation and fostering of religions, traditions and cultural and traditional activities.
We must also remember the salient fact that on this account that this luminary policies has succeeded in inscribing the Kingdom as aWORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION.
Today, PHNOM PENH is fulfilling the trademarks of what we are calling the cultural landscape marked by the existence of “mixed properties”, blending natural properties and cultural properties.
It designates areas where there has been a harmonious interaction between man and nature over a long period, linked to a particular culture, and which provides evidence of a traditional way of life in which nature and culture are profoundly interlinked.
Cultural landscapes are described in Article 1 of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage as representing “the combined works of nature and man”.
PHNOM PENH is such a generous area: encompassing the natural setting provided by the confluence of three rivers: the mighty Mekong, the Bassac and the great Tonle Sap, the world unique river that is flowing upwards the stream for six months a year.
This perfect natural landscape has become the setting of a rich cultural city that encompasses religious monuments and heritage treasures like: Wat Ounalom the 1443 shrine built for a sacred hair of the Buddha and considered the seat of Cambodian Buddhism who will celebrate 575 years of continuously and uninterrupted religious activities.
Another landmark is the famous Wat Phnom, built in 1372 and restored and reconstructed in 1434, 1806, 1894 and 1926 and has become a symbol of the capital city Phnom Penh and regularly used for prayer, small offerings, and meditation.
It is a specially charged place connected with the legendary figure of grandmother Penh and from 15th century King Ponhea Yat built the capital in Phnom Penh around this sacred mountain used for keeping the cremated ash of the King.
The mountain of Wat Phnom has been transformed in the last 700 years in a place that is uniting Buddhist statues of the Angkorean era with art crafts from the medieval and modern area and also a royal necropolis hosting the stupas for keeping cremated ash of the Royal families.
Other religious places and cultural landmarks are Wat Langka who is reputedly one of Phnom Penh’s five original Wats (1422). Established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks, the Wat was named in honor of these meetings.
Wat Botum Padei also one of the oldest religious buildings still in use in the city from 1422 and is compound, is crowded with ornate and colorful stupas, including the towering ‘Buddha’s Relic Stupa.
Wat Koh another one of the city’s five original Wats, established in the early 15th century and Wat Neak Kravorn situated in a perfect picturesque skyline of Boeung Kak lake.
PHNOM PENH is not only the seat of rich cultural and religious objectives but is also presenting a long list of tourism centers from the famed Russian Market, Old Market, Central Market, Night Market and a large array of traditional markets, to the incredible riches of the National Museum having on display more than 5,000 works of art, ranging from the 7th to the 13th century. Treasures include sculptures, 19th-century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins.
I will just note on the lines the incredible cultural potential of Phnom Penh the fact that: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA was voted as a WORLD`S FAVORITE MUSEUM for the incredible treasures encompassing more than 14.000 priceless artifacts and for the perfect ways that are displayed and imbuing the visitors with the message of culture.
Phnom Penh is far from being just a huge open-air repository of temples, stupas, palaces and incredible museums it is also a place where the energy of his peoples is channeled into huge celebrations like Moon Festival, Water Festival, Royal Ploughing Day, Khmer New Year or famed Buddha Day-Visakh Bochea Day.
It is a city that it embraces with warmth and gentle attention the soul of the travelers and it’s the real gate to Asia and the unique gem that shines over us with the light of culture and distinction. I also take this moment to congratulate the Ministry of tourism on the initiative to create a special walking riverine prospect offering for tourists the opportunity to stroll around the banks of the famous Mekong.
Initiatives like this are creating the image of a friendly and traveler welcoming city, an image that Phnom Penh so richly deserves.
We can say that the European Council on Tourism and Trade was confronted with an easy conundrum at the question: IT IS? OR IT IS NOT PHNOM PENH a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM?
The positive answer was clear keeping in mind the impressive history of the city, the enormous cultural and heritage potential of Phnom Penh and the plans put in place by the Government of H.E. Prime Minister HUN SEN in order to carve out an ever better future for the peoples of the city and for those who come to share the life of the gem of Asia: the incredible PHNOM PENH – the city of waters, the gift of Cambodia to the world.
Your Excellency Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia HUN SEN,
Phnom Penh the recently nominated WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM is known on the world as the Gem of Asia, The city of waters and the capital of The Kingdom of Wonders: Cambodia, all are rightly deserved appellative`s and as academician Mircea Constantinescu pointed out of WORLD TOURISM AWARDS CEREMONY:
Independence Square and Monument: the heart of PHNOM PENH.
It is a city that it embraces with warmth and gentle attention the soul of the travelers and it’s the real gate to Asia and the unique gem that shines over us with the light of culture and distinction. I also take this moment to congratulate the Ministry of tourism on the initiative to create a special walking riverine prospect offering for tourists the opportunity to stroll around the banks of the famous Mekong.
PHNOM PENH is such a generous area: encompassing the natural setting provided by the confluence of three rivers: the mighty Mekong, the Bassac and the great Tonle Sap, the world unique river that is flowing upwards the stream for six months a year.
This perfect natural landscape has becoming the setting of a rich cultural city that encompasses religious monuments and heritage treasures like: Wat Ounalom, the 1443 shrine build for a sacred hair of the Buddha and considered the seat of Cambodian Buddhism who will celebrate 575 of continuously and interrupted religious activities.
Another landmark is the famous Wat Phnom, built in 1372 and restored or reconstructed in 1434, 1806, 1894 and 1926 and has become a symbol of the capital city Phnom Penh and regularly used for prayer, small offerings, and meditation.
It is a specially charged place connected with the legendary figure of grandmother Penh and from 15th century King Ponhea Yat built the capital in Phnom Penh around this sacred mountain used for keeping the cremated ash of the King.
The mountain of Wat Phnom has been transformed in the last 700 years in a place that is uniting Buddhist statues of the Angkorean era with art crafts from the medieval and modern area and also a royal necropolis hosting the stupas for keeping cremated ash of the Royal families.
Other religious places and cultural landmarks are Wat Langka who is reputedly one of Phnom Penh’s five original Wats (1422).
Established as a sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and Sri Lankan monks, the Wat was named in honor of these meetings.
Wat Botum Padei also one of the oldest religious buildings still in use in the city from 1422 and is compound is crowded with ornate and colorful stupas, including the towering ‘Buddha’s Relic Stupa.
Wat Koh another one of the city’s five original Wats, established in the early 15th century and Wat Neak Kravorn situated in a perfect picturesque skyline of Boeung Kak lake.
PHNOM PENH is not only the seat of rich cultural and religious objectives but is also presenting a long list of tourism centers from the famed Russian Market, Old Market, Central Market, Night Market and a large array of traditional markets, to the incredible riches of National Museum having on display more than 5,000 works of art, ranging from the 7th to the 13th century.
Treasures include sculptures, 19th-century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins.
We have to note also in the panorama of the incredible cultural potential of Phnom Penh the fact that: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CAMBODIA was voted as a WORLD`S FAVORITE MUSEUM for the incredible treasures encompassing more than 14.00 priceless artifacts and for the perfect ways that are displayed and imbuing the visitors with the message of culture.
Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is a must see for any Asian traveler as it is the symbol of the imperial power of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the residence of the royal family.
In Khmer language, the full name of Royal Palace of Phnom Penh is Preah Barom Reachea Vaeng Chaktomuk. The modern Royal Palace was designed by a famous French engineer, dating back to the end of the 19th century.
The resplendent and magnificent Royal Palace is the typical Cambodia building, situated in the east of Phnom Penh and facing the confluence of Mekong River and Tonle Sap River.
It is a magnificent building with golden roof and yellow walls surrounding it, consisting of over 20 palaces of various sizes, such as the golden palace, the silver palace and the treasure palace with exquisite reliefs on the winding corridors.
The treasure palace is inside the golden palace, displaying precious treasures.
Among all the buildings in the palace, the silver palace is the most gorgeous one, whose ground is paved with over 4,700 silver bricks.
In the palace, there is also a natural jade Buddha statue with the height of about 60 centimeters, regarding as the national treasure of Cambodia. It is also the holy land for the Buddhist devotions of the successive kings.
Phnom Penh is far from being just a huge open-air repository of temples, stupas, palaces and incredible museums it is also a place where the energy of his peoples is channeled into huge celebrations like Moon Festival, Water Festival, Royal Ploughing Day, Khmer New Year or famed Buddha Day-Visakh Bochea Day.
MEKONG ISLAND (KOH DACH)
If you wish to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh and venture into a world of peace and tranquility, then a visit to Mekong Island about 15km north of the city centre will be just right for you.
Bounded by views of rice paddies, vegetable farms and fruit orchards, Mekong Island not only serves as a venue for an enjoyable day trip or picnic but also enables you to experience the country’s authentic culture at its best.
This island occupies an area of about ten hectares of land and is one of the prominent centers of traditional handicrafts in Cambodia, with artisans engaged in silk weaving, pottery, woodcarving and dyeing in its villages.
Phnom Penh is waiting the travelers, tourists and all those who want to experience the true charm of Asia and the magic of a World Capital of Culture and Tourism with the open doors.
Come and discover the magic of Mekong, come and find your true city of love: Phnom Penh!
Cambodia succeeds one more time to shine on world cultural stage as the National Museum from Phnom Penh gets on the list of World`s Favorite Museums.
National Museum of Cambodia is named for the second year as World`s Favourite Museum.
With over 1 million visitors per year and over 14.000 objects and artifacts, the museum takes a leading role in the world of culture and has received a host of world dignitaries in the last years when the Museum has become a symbol of Cambodia’s recent renaissance.
The history of the National Museum of Cambodia goes back to the early 20th century.
It was inaugurated on 13 April 1920, under the patronage of King Sisowath and is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of Khmer cultural artifacts including sculpture, ceramics and ethnographic objects from the prehistoric, pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and post-Angkorian periods.
King Sisowath statue adorns the center of Phnom Penh.
He was the creator of National Museum of Cambodia.
The Museum promotes awareness, understanding and appreciation of Cambodia‘s heritage through the presentation, conservation, safekeeping, interpretation and acquisition of Cambodian cultural material.
It aims to educate and inspire its visitors with a humongous collection of huge Buddhas, Vishnu`s, and Shiva’s, cryptic and poetic inscription fragments, intimidating weaponry, and elegant vases.
The museum carries a remarkably thorough vision of Cambodia’s art, from the pre-history to the post-Angkor periods.
Angkor period statues: the main highlight of the National Museum of Cambodia.
Not only the large art collections or the valuable patrimony had made the museum to top the list of world`s museums, but also the educational trail offered to visitors was taken into consideration as is offering the opportunity to delve into history, to be affordable and effortless and helping visitors to understand, contemplate and relax at the same time.
On November 24, 2017, on the function of the official signing of the 2017 World Tourism, Culture and Travel Awards, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea announced the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PHNOM PENH is recognized as a WORLD`S FAVORITE MUSEUM for a second year in a row for his priceless artifacts and outstanding contribution to the human civilization understanding.
WORLD TOURISM NEWS FROM EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE 
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