Cambodians Among Responsible Tourism Awards South East Asia 2024 Winners
Two Cambodian companies were honoured in the Responsible Tourism Awards South East Asia 2024 in August, which is the first year the region was included as part of the World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Six Senses, Krabey Island (Cambodia) won Gold in the “Increasing local sourcing: Creating Shared Value” category - with Gold winners automatically entered into the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, and Solo Landscapes a Silver winner in the same category.
The Responsible Tourism Partnership has been promoting Responsible Tourism since 2000 and the Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was adopted in 2002 with Responsible Tourism Charter adopted in 2022. They have regional awards in Africa, India, Latin America, South East Asia, and the Rest of the World.
Responsible Tourism Awards South East Asia 2024 (RTASEA) - Increasing Local Sourcing: Creating Shared Value Cambodia Winners
Six Senses Krabey Island - Gold
The luxury private resort off the southern Cambodia coast was a Gold winner in the awards and was recognised for promoting a sustainable lifestyle through the use of organic mattresses, plastic-free amenities, and energy efficiency which includes the use of LED lighting, Lutron technology and others for optimal energy usage. In 2023 Krabey Island achieved 59% local sourcing and is targeting 70%\ per cent in 2024.
In addition, Six Senses Krabey Island utilises water-saving toilet flush, half of the villas feature green living roofs that reduce the temperature of the roof surface and surrounding air and solar panels for renewable energy sources.
Their Earth Lab provides data on the resort’s consumption of water, energy, and waste and educates guests in “sustainable practical life hacks.”
Solo Landscapes (Cambodia) - Silver
The Cambdoian-based eco tour operator is aimed at “responsible explorers and nature lovers who share the same desire to get out of their own comfort zone and to reconnect with themselves and locals.”
Solo Landscapes said of the recognition, “A great honour to be one of the ASEAN Responsible Tourism Awards winners. Thanks to all participants, our team, partners, stakeholders, and the local community for their unwavering support. Without your collaboration, this achievement would not have been possible.”
The company was founded in 2019 and utilises ecotourism to educate visitors and community members about conservation, while also creating local jobs, and fostering a sense of responsibility for the environment's well-being said the awards page.
They have raised USD $112,000 towards sustainable practices in Cambodia which have benefited 58 community-based ecotourism projects, protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and community forests. They have also trained and coached 11 communities, empowering them to participate in tourism and generate income which has resulted in an estimated USD $50,000 annual gain for these communities.