Cardamom Tented Camp Joins The Long Run - Sets Sights On GER Certification
A leading Cambodian conservation lodge, Cardamom Tented Camp, has joined The Long Run, a global network of eco-conscious tourism enterprises dedicated to conservation, community, culture, and commerce.
Cardamom Tented Camp is a three-way initiative between Minor Group, YAANA Ventures and Wildlife Alliance which aims to ensure the land and its biodiversity does not fall into the hands of loggers, poachers and sand dredging operations.
The international grouping of sustainable nature-based tourism businesses welcomed the Cambodian multiple award-winning retreat as a "fellow member". Cardamom Tented Camp has also pledged to pursue the prestigious “Global Ecosphere Retreat” (GER) certification, a hallmark of sustainability in the tourism sector, endorsed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The GER has one of the most rigorous sustainability standards in the international tourism industry.
Willem Niemeijer, co-founder of the camp, said "Cardamom Tented Camp and The Long Run are leveraging tourism as a smart way to fund the conservation of nature and be of value to the community. We’re striving to make tourism a measurable force for good. That is our purpose.”
The Long Run currently includes 11 GER members, 32 fellow members, and 22 travel partners - collectively safeguarding approximately 9.3 million hectares (about 23 million acres) of natural habitats across six continents.
Dr Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, executive director at The Long Run, added “The Cardamom tented camp is a dedicated responsible tourism entity with thoughtful attention given to every detail. We are aligned in our passion for sustainability and look forward to our journey together.”
Cardamom Tented Camp - Cardamom Mountains
Cardamom Tented Camp is an ecolodge located in the Cardamom Mountains which is in southwest Cambodia. They stretch from Koh Kong Province in Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand to the Veal Veang district in Pursat province.
The eco-lodge retreat is based on an 18,000-hectare (180 km2) concession in Botum Sakor National Park and has nine luxurious safari-style glamping tents. The site aims to act as a role model in promoting sustainable ecotourism practices within both the national park and Cambodia.
The area in which is it based has lowland and coastal habitats linking wildlife corridors to the Cardamom Mountains and some of the activities offered to guests are co-friendly trekking and kayaking packages.
Operating under the slogan, “Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing,” a proportion of profits from the camp helps fund patrols by 16 Wildlife Alliance forest rangers, said the lodge.
The patrols have been operating since 2017 and "have protected the forest reserve from illegal poachers, loggers, sand dredgers and land grabbers. The number of at-risk species such as Asian elephants, smooth-coated otters, leopards and hornbills has increased due to rigorous habitat protection," added the announcement.
In addition, the improved species numbers have been verified by the Wildlife Alliance and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. Cardamom Tented Camp will be represented at ITB Berlin travel show, 6-8 March 2024, through its affiliated travel company, Khiri Travel.
Cambodian Sustainability & Tourism News
In 2023, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Mr Thong Khon outlined the targets to diversify tourism in Cambodia. The Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (CSLEP) comprises the World Bank, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Rural Development and aims to transform Cambodia into a leading ecotourism hub.
The Cardamom Mountains-Tonle Sap (CMTS) landscape covers 3.8 million hectares across seven provinces and there are plans to develop ecotourism corridors that link Siem Reap and Phnom Penh with the Cardamom Mountains and Tonle Sap Lake.
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