Prime Minister Hun Manet has reiterated his personal commitment to promoting the “Clean City” movement in order to support tourism. 

In a February 27 letter marking the 12th National Clean City Day, themed “Clean Cities for Tourism”, he requested that all relevant sides cooperate to conduct various campaigns in support of clean city contest movements.

In the letter, Manet, who is also president of the National Committee for Clean City Evaluations, said the day aims to inspire all Cambodians, especially the youth, to pay close attention to stimulating green development. 

“Clean City is an attractive tourist project that will draw domestic and international tourists. It will make an important contribution to tourist development, inasmuch as all towns and cities are home to tourism and trade, as well as economic, political and cultural activities,” he added. 

He explained that the success of tourism would also contribute to city development, through opportunities for trade, investment and new urban development models.

Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), said Manet’s commitment illustrated the close attention he pays to stimulating the development of the country, in this instance with a focus on cleanliness and hygiene, in order to enter regional and international competitions. 

“Overall, tourists don’t want to visit unclean places or those filled with litter, but prefer clean, hygienic, comfortable ones. We should all [play our part in conservation and the promotion of the Clean City movement, in order to promote social welfare and competition in ASEAN. In addition, it will also help to attract tourists to Cambodia and encourage them to return,” she added.

On February 27, the Prampi Makara district administration in Phnom Penh observed the 12th National Clean City Day with an event aimed to raise awareness of the Clean City movement.

The occasion brought together over 400 people, including monks and members of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC), the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) and the young scouts.