> …AND CONTRIBUTING TO FUND OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT
Genuine ecotourism should ensure it benefits the protection of the site and the local populations.
 Bo, our faithful boat driver |
Easily accessible from Angkor and featuring attractions such as impressive waterbird spectacle, pristine flooded forest, traditional fishing and floating villages, Prek Toal possesses a huge tourism potential. From its inception, the project has recognized ecotourism as a concrete mean for raising awareness and as an economical force to drive changes in the mode of exploitation and valorization of natural resources (birds, forest). Osmose ecovisits are organized in a way to generate the maximum direct benefits for involved families. |
For instance, former bird poachers and women head of households obtain complementary income in providing a wooden canoe circuit, by selling local handicraft or by presenting a typical livelihood (fish raising, floating garden, fishing gear, etc.). Furthermore, the proceeds of the visits fund a village development program, widening the impact among poor families. Thanks to an intimate knowledge of the site, a constant care of quality, specially trained guides and integration of tourism in an ecological-cum-humanitarian project, Osmose is the first tourist actor in the area. Nearly 100 visits are now organized per year, and more than 2000 visitors have discovered Prek Toal as 'osmosian' !
