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A beautiful early morning view of the Kravanh La Vallee Eco Resort in the Cardamom Mountains |
Deep in the lush, untouched terrain of Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Eco-tourism projects like Kravanh La Vallee Eco Resort in Koh Kong province are transforming remote regions into thriving green destinations. More than just a travel experience, these initiatives are protecting forests, reducing illegal activities, and giving local communities new sources of income.
Ly Senserey, the visionary behind Kravanh La Vallee, opened the resort in Thma Bang district’s Russey Chrum commune with more than just profit in mind. Although he hasn’t yet seen financial returns, he’s helped reduce reliance on forest resources and created jobs for over 200 locals each month. For Senserey, the resort is not just a business—it’s a mission.
A New Eco-Tourism Model in Action
Spanning 70 hectares, the resort sits within one of Southeast Asia’s last great rainforests. Supported by the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (CSLEP), Kravanh La Vallee has become a flagship site for balancing conservation with sustainable development. It is the first eco-tourism initiative in its district and now draws attention to an area once overlooked by travelers.
Visitors to the resort find a peaceful escape: mist-draped forests, streams, waterfalls, organic gardens, and wildlife. With year-round cool weather and fertile land, the site produces vegetables and fruits on-site. Guests dine on homegrown produce and free-range chicken. No trees were felled during construction, and most of the resort's furniture is crafted from salvaged timber.
Beyond Tourism: Forests, Wildlife, and Community First
Senserey’s efforts go far beyond creating a holiday retreat. The resort is a stronghold for environmental protection. Hunting and wildlife meat are strictly banned. Locals now protect, rather than exploit, the natural resources around them. Illegal logging has sharply declined, and no one in the area dares cut trees or carry hunting rifles without permission.
The project has brought stability to the community. Migration has decreased, and locals now earn legitimate incomes. Even those who once relied on forest exploitation now work as guides, cooks, or support staff at the resort.
A National Strategy for Green Growth
CSLEP is a nationwide initiative led by Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Rural Development, backed by the World Bank. Covering six provinces and over 3.8 million hectares of land, it aims to use eco-tourism to generate income, protect ecosystems, and strengthen local economies. From the Cardamom Mountains to the Tonle Sap, the project is helping reshape the way Cambodia conserves nature.
Eleven eco-tourism destinations have been selected so far, including Stung Areng, Phnom Samkos, and Peam Krasop. In its first phase, the project has constructed 90 kilometers of roads to improve accessibility, built ranger offices, and delivered equipment and training to local teams.
Expanding Ecotourism, Expanding Impact
The economic benefits are already visible. The Areng community, for example, now earns between $500 and $1,000 per month from eco-tourism. These funds support 170 families, showing how even modest-scale tourism can dramatically improve rural livelihoods. Facilities like clean toilets and community kitchens have been introduced, improving hygiene and the overall visitor experience.
But challenges remain. Language barriers are one issue, with only a handful of English-speaking guides available. Still, training and education efforts are helping bridge this gap as more international visitors discover these lesser-known regions.
A Province on the Rise
Koh Kong, once a transit point for travelers en route to other parts of Cambodia, is becoming a destination in its own right. With projects like Kravanh La Vallee setting a new standard for responsible travel, more tourists are exploring the Cardamoms—and learning that conservation and tourism don’t have to be at odds.
Local officials are calling for stronger cooperation between the private sector and eco-tourism communities. By creating legal, sustainable livelihoods, these efforts can eliminate the economic need for activities like logging, poaching, and land clearing.
As Ly Senserey continues to develop his resort, he remains focused on the long-term goal: turning eco-tourism into a tool for transformation. With only 10 percent of his master plan complete, there’s much more to come—both for his business and for Cambodia’s growing green tourism movement.
Website Contact
For more information on eco-tourism initiatives in the Cardamom Mountains and the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project, visit:
https://www.moe.gov.kh
For more travel inspiration read the daily online "The Holiday and Travel Magazine"
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/
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