Cambodia's tourism industry, so vital to the economy, is in danger of becoming reliant on Chinese gambling dollars in Sihanoukville
by KhmerLife on Dec 24, 2019
![Cambodia's tourism industry, so vital to the economy, is in danger of becoming reliant on Chinese gambling dollars in Sihanoukville](http://khmerlife.com/cdn/shop/articles/Local-boat_{width}x.jpg?v=1668548225)
With 23 conservation areas and seven national parks, Cambodia would seem to be an eco-trippers paradise. On paper, over 20% of Cambodia is under some form of protection - an impressive figure. But reality belies the illusion: next door to the provincial office of a leading ecotourism coordinator, a restaurant selling bush meat does a brisk business. At a stall deep inside the nearby Kirirom National Park, the menu includes wild boar.�
With little incentive to conserve, local communities surrounding biodiversity-rich areas are driven by sheer economics to indulge in destructive activities. Why work planting rice a whole day for one dollar when a single felled tree can fetch thousands?
Follow the story at: https://southeastasiaglobe.com/the-eco-option/