Accessible tourism for all
It’s World Tourism Day. A day designated by the UN to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism for all.
So, it made me ponder. Here we are living in a developing country, where tourism is such a big part of the local economy, and yet the majority of people can’t even afford domestic tourism, let alone have the money to go off exploring other countries.
In rural areas many people are living on less than $1 a day. An average wage for those working in cites is somewhere between $1000 and $3000 per year. It certainly doesn’t amount to accessible tourism for all.
So I thought I would highlight daily working life with some of my Instagram images.
Daily working life in Cambodia
This lady walks up our street every afternoon. She is selling ice creams. She sells them for 50 cents or less.
This couple collect recyclable materials like plastic water bottles. They rummage through rubbish bins and pick up from the side of the road. They also buy from from local businesses. They then on-sell to a recycling place for a tiny profit.
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
I’m guessing these guys are probably construction workers. Trucks like this are their transport to and from work. The average wage for a construction worker is about $80 a month.
This man works in a salt mine near Kep. He spends all day walking in salt water and carrying heavy loads of salt for about $5 a day.
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
We can buy coconuts for between 75 cents and $1. Riding the streets on a bike loaded with coconuts is a hard way to earn a living.
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
The benefits of tourism
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization the growth of international and domestic tourism has the potential to reduce poverty and foster development, particularly in rural areas. This is providing it is properly managed.
The idea is to encourage employment of poor people in tourism jobs. Of course a lot of education and training needs to take place in many instances for that to be successful. Other suggestions include tourism operators sourcing goods and services from the poor or from social enterprises supporting those in poverty; direct sales of goods and services to tourists by the poor and investing money generated by tourism in infrastructure that will help the poor. There are different degrees of these things happening in Cambodia but it is a long, slow process and it will be a while before real evidence of progress is seen outside of the major cities.
Some tourism facts
- Tourism represents almost 10% of global GDP
- Tourism is responsible for one in every eleven jobs worldwide
- Tourism is the fourth largest export sector in the world after fuels, chemicals and food
- The industry generates US$ 1.5 trillion a year in exports
- In 2014, over 1.1 billion international tourists travelled the globe, by 2030 the number of international tourists is expected to reach 1.8 billion
Information from the UNWTO.
Tourism in Cambodia
Tourism in Cambodia has increased every year since 2003. Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism reports 4.75 million international tourists arrived in Cambodia in 2015. The number of visitors to the Kingdom has nearly doubled since 2010. December has been the busiest month for arrivals for at least the last five years, with nearly 575,000 tourists visiting in December 2015. The industry is worth more than $3 billion to Cambodia.
It’s certainly an important industry and responsible tourism goes a long way to improving the income and therefore the quality of life for many Cambodians. But one has to question — is poverty part of the appeal for tourists visiting this beautiful country? It is a cheap destination after all and when people start receiving better wages, the cost of living will increase. Perhaps it is a catch-22 situation, but certainly food for thought.
We are certainly still a long way off accessible tourism for all but the industry is helping provide opportunities for some and as it grows more people should reap the benefits.
World Tourism Day – a look at some of Cambodia’s attractions
Beautiful Phnom Kulen, a lovely day trip from Siem Reap.
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
Stunning Otres Beach
Tonle Sap and the floating village
Great day out at Lake Tonle Sap. #travelblogger #travel #journoandthejoker #tonlesap #lake #water
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
The ancient temples
Beautiful countryside
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
Beautiful Kep
Sunset on the Mekong River
A photo posted by Sam Walker (@samwalkerphotos) on
We are some of the lucky ones. We get to travel this country and many others. Many Cambodians will not get the chance to visit many of these places, the cost is too high for those living on meagre incomes. But our visits are helping to boost the economy, which is hopefully having a flow-on effect.
What are your thoughts on World Tourism Day and global tourism?
Sarah says
Nice article Sam! $3billion is quite a lot… it’s a pity not more of it is spent with grassroots operators and small businesses.
Sam Walker says
Yes, I agree Sarah. Getting down to the grassroots level seems to be the aim of the theme – accessible tourism for all – but there is a long way to go.
Jessica says
These pictures are amazing! It makes me realise just how good I have it when I can travel in my own car on a nice road. We take many things for granted, that’s why traveling is so good for the soul. Great post!
Sam Walker says
Thank you Jessica!
Yes, travelling can really put things in perspective. It is so easy to take things for granted.
Gennifer Rose says
Hi Sam,
These pictures do a great job of portraying the dramatic difference of daily lives across the world. I work in San Francisco in social media and site content, my days are spent in a desk in front of the computer. I consider myself very lucky to be in my position but I enjoy traveling abroad to experience and support other cultures.
xo Gennifer
Sam Walker says
Hi Gennifer.
Yes, those of us fortunate enough to have the means to travel are very lucky and we can certainly help make a difference with our tourism dollar. But there is such a long way to go before there is accessible tourism for all.
Enjoy your travels.
Portia @ Migrant Muse says
Great post that sheds light on daily life in Cambodia and tourism in an impoverished country. I was here a few years ago because I was genuinely interested in the culture and history. It was eye-opening to learn about the poverty and see it firsthand, but it definitely made me appreciate the ability to travel and to get to know other cultures. Cambodia taught me so much about myself, life, social perceptions, etc. and I really hope to go back there someday! Thanks for this post 🙂
Sam Walker says
Thanks for stopping by Portia. Cambodia is a great teacher and we’ve also learned loads about ourselves, life and people in general. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Carrie says
Your pictures are stunning! I also love how you incorporate so many facts with each picture!
Sam Walker says
Thank you Carrie! Appreciate the feedback. Glad you liked the pics.
Benjamin J Travel says
Great post on Cambodia and happy belated World Tourism Day!
Sam Walker says
Thanks Benjamin!
candy says
Interesting in some countries and areas tourism plays such an important part for the people. Most of those people will never have the money to ever do any traveling.
Sam Walker says
Hi Candy,
Yes tourism is an important part of the economy for Cambodia but honestly, many people travel here because it is poor and therefore cheap. So it is a long way off of making tourism accessible for all.
Leon says
Nicely written post with some really nice pictures!
Sustainable tourism is a problem everywhere. I am currently living in China, in a city with 8 Million people. That’s about as big as London, but the people here … well, I have the feeling that some people are getting incredible rich, while the average worker doesn’t really see anything from that money. I heard the average wage for a worker would be 5 Yuan per hour, that’s not even one Euro!
Tourism should benefit everybody, all the people involved but also the environment for example.
Sam Walker says
Hi Leon,
Yes, sustainable tourism is a problem everywhere, but there should be more pressure on tour operators to think about and instigate sustainable practices. I imagine there is a rapidly increasing middle and upper class in China, the economy is bounding along so fast. But the little people always seem to suffer. Cambodia has a huge divide between rich and poor and the wealthy are very wealthy and seem to be getting wealthier.
Christian says
Tourism is so important but I also feel sad when people leave the jobs they love or do well to make “fast” money in the tourist industry. I haven’t been to Cambodia but Bangkok is an excellent example of it. I guess it’s like you said, the catch-22 of progress.
Sam Walker says
Hi Christian, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, tourism is often seen as fast money, but it is also usually better money – especially for poor people here, who live in rural communities and rely on subsistence farming as their main source of income. But if there is any kind of glitch in the economy and tourists stop visiting it has a huge impact.
Rachel says
So interesting! I love learning about new places and traveling!
Sam Walker says
Thanks for stopping by Rachel. There’s always something to learn when travelling.
Stephanie says
Great post. It really opens your eyes to the reality of how people live. Cambodia sounds like a beautiful country and I hope to be able to visit one day.
Sam Walker says
Hi Stephanie,
I hope you do get to visit Cambodia one day. Such an amazing place. Definitely beautiful, but it is the people who make this place amazing.