The Ministry of Environment has released a smartphone app that will provide travelers with maps and information about Cambodia’s ecotourism hotspots.
The software, Doe Leng Sruk Yoeng (or “Travelling in Our Country”), is accessible on both the Apple software Store and the Google Play Store.
On August 15, a glitzy event at the ministry headquarters in Phnom Penh marked the official launching of the bilingual Khmer and English app, Doe Leng Sruk Yoeng on the Apple Store and Doe leng sruk yoeng in Khmer script on Google Play.
Ministry leaders and officials were present, as were representatives from a variety of local and international organizations and development partners, including the World Bank.
The app, according to the ministry, is part of its “Sustainability of Cambodia’s landscape and eco-tourism” strategy and is intended to promote ecotourism locations by offering clear information to visitors.
The app’s features include maps, trip planning assistance, and a wealth of detailed information about the Kingdom’s unique landscapes, flora, and fauna. The software will provide users text messages and graphics to help them grasp the natural wonders with which they are interacting.
It is envisaged that by encouraging the growth of ecotourism destinations, the livelihoods of populations living within protected areas can progressively improve. As more people visit the protected areas’ forests and mountains, more revenue will be generated, improving local communities’ economies and lessening their reliance on non-sustainable natural resources.
Minister Say Samal addressed the launch ceremony, thanking the working group and their partner organizations for developing the app.
He regarded the app as more than just a valuable tool, but also as a reflection of the Kingdom’s progress.
“This app reflects modern Cambodian society and its embrace of new technology, civilisation, and a close connection to the environment,” he explained.
He highlighted how a war-torn community had evolved into a dynamic, well-educated culture with an appreciation for the natural world.
He went on to say that a culture of peace is now deeply embedded in the hearts of all Cambodians.
Ho Vandy, a Cambodia Association of Travel Agents consultant, characterized the app as a very valuable tool. He mentioned that the ministry spent a long time establishing it and that he expected it to make a significant contribution to local tourism economies.
He said that he thought the app will appeal to younger travelers, both within and outside the Kingdom, particularly those with increasing disposable budgets.
“By making it much easier for tourists to find information about places they want to visit, it will increase people’s awareness of the Kingdom’s many natural attractions,” he said.
