Perception and reality of managing sustainable coastal tourism in emerging destinations: the case of Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Abstract

The emergence of Sihanoukville as a coastal destination came at the time when the global community was calling for sustainable practices. As one of the newly emergent coastal resorts in Asia, Sihanoukville has the advantage of learning from other, less sustainable Asian destinations. The Cambodian Government has partnered with international agencies in drawing up programs and incorporating practices to make the destination more sustainable. This research seeks to better understand the effectiveness and success, or otherwise, of implementing sustainability programs for tourism development, especially for an Asian coastal destination. The aim is to compare the sustainability practice outcomes according to differing stakeholders and their perceptions of sustainability. The research identifies gaps between policies and their implementation where the intent is to highlight those aspects of contemporary resort growth that need greater attention by policy makers and planners. Generally, it was found that there was alignment between the perceptions and the reality of sustainable tourism practices within and across the stakeholder groups. Where notable differences in perception arose, it was often linked to the group's mission or self-interest that influenced the views of these stakeholders. The research also points to the challenges ahead for all stakeholders in managing coastal destinations sustainably.

在新兴目的地管理可持续性滨海旅游的看法和现实：柬埔寨西哈努克的案例

西哈努克作为一个滨海目的地的出现是在全球社区都在号召可持续性的做法。作为亚洲新兴滨海度假地其中之一，西哈努克有向其他不够可持续性的亚洲目的地学习的优势。柬埔寨政府与国际机构合作一起开发项目并且结合实践使目的地更可持续性。该研究寻求更好地理解有效性和成功，或以其他方式，实施旅游发展的可持续性项目，特别是对一个亚洲滨海目的地。文章目的是通过区分利益相关者和他们对可持续性的看法来对比可持续性实践的结果。研究确认了政策和他们实施之间的缺陷，目的是为了突出那些当代旅游度假地增长中需要政策制订者和规划者更多注意的问题。总体来说，在利益相关者组群中和组群间发现可持续性旅游的看法和现实间存在一致性。当出现看法存在着明显的区别时，这往往联系到该组影响利益相关者看法的目的或自我兴趣。研究也指出了所有利益相关者在可持续性地管理滨海目的地时会出现的挑战。

Keywords:

• coastal tourism
• development
• urbanization
• stakeholders
• Sihanoukville

关键词:

• 滨海旅游
• 发展
• 城市化
• 利益相关者
• 西哈努克

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lei Tin Jackie Ong

Dr Lei Tin Jackie Ong is a professional planner with expertise in sustainable planning and management. She is Principal of Jackie Ong Planning Associates, which focuses on urban and coastal tourism development, planning and management in the developing countries of Southeast Asia. She has lectured in her expertise for universities, government and United Nations agencies.

Russell Arthur Smith

Russell Arthur Smith is a tourism development expert who has extensive academic and professional experience in Asia, as well as North America and the Middle East. His research focus is sustainable tourism development and management in the coastal regions of Southeast Asia. He is an associate professor in the Nanyang Business School at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.