The contingency for a sustainable development of tourism in Ream National Park

Abstract

The Ream National Park (Preah Sihanouk National Park) in southern Cambodia harbours some of the most vulnerable and threatened ecosystems in South East Asia. At least 16 Red-List fauna species are found in the Park. On a regional scale the surrounding areas and neighbouring city, Sihanoukville, have experienced a rapid growth in domestic and international visitors seeking ‘nature-based’ tourism experiences. A growth in the number of visitors and tourism facilities in Ream National Park seems therefore inevitable within a few years, requiring a Park Management Plan that incorporates the development of tourism. Until a sufficient Park Management Plan and Environmental Management Scheme are in place, this paper recommends that tourism facilities are developed on a small scale e.g. eco lodges and snorkelling at the islands included in the Park.