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Buying local products creates jobs for Cambodians and supports the national economy. In addition, buying souvenirs made in Cambodia helps to preserve and develop traditional Khmer handicrafts.

But many goods in Cambodia’s markets including clothing, shoes, silks, jewellery, stone carvings, metal sculptures, glassware and other consumer favourites are mostly imported. Even the soapstone Apsaras sold in local markets are often made in neighbouring countries. To ensure that the profit from your purchases benefits Cambodians, check carefully where the souvenirs were produced.

Phnom Penh’s Night Market near the riverside and Siem Reap’s Angkor Night Market offer products produced in Cambodia under the Cambodian Governments One Village One Product (OVOP) initiative.

Food can also be a great souvenir -Kampot’s black pepper is said to be the best in the world and purchasing it helps raise living standards in rural provinces. Producers include Kurata Pepper in Phnom Penh and the Kampot Peper Promotion Association. Confirel produces tasty palm wine and palm sugar which also makes great gifts.

Cambodian silk was once amongst the most sought after, but most on sale today is imported. Silk is still hand woven on looms in the traditional way in several places. Your tour leader will be your best guide as to where to purchase silks made in Cambodia.

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The number of tourists visiting Angkor Wat each year is drastically increasing. This phenomenon is quite recent, as are its destructive impacts. Our behavior can make a difference to the preservation of Cambodia’s heritage, so please:

Accept the restrictions placed on the temple complex (i.e do not touch, do not enter).

Avoid touching. Every small touch becomes harmful when repeated by 1,000 people every day.

Avoid climbing unnecessarily on the statues and monuments. If you must take a photo on top of a temple, be selective and choose to climb only one.

Wear appropriate clothing. Angkor Watt is a modern day living temple, so we dress as we would when visiting any other Buddhist Temples (i.e no tank tops, short shorts, etc.). Shoulders and knees must be covered.

Wear appropriate shoes. Avoid high heels and studded soles that can damage the stones.

Mind your backpack. Be careful not to brush up against the walls and damage the stones and bas-reliefs with your backpack.

Stop graffiti. Resist the temptation to scribble your name or draw on the monuments.

Admire from afar. If every visitor to Angkor Wat took home a piece of the temple as a souvenir, the temples would quickly disappear forever.

Shop responsibly. Beware of buying objects on unknown origin. The looting of archaeological sites result in the loss of significant social and cultural treasures and robs the Cambodian people of their history.

Don’t litter. We take our rubbish with us.

Respect silence and other people. The temple complex brings different experiences to different people. Allow other visitors to experience the peace and beauty.

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We often forget that our holidays are spent in other people’s homes and sometimes give little thought to the impact we will have on our holiday destination, its people, culture, economy and environment. Here are some ways to ensure the destination, as a whole, benefits from your visit.

Create an instant smile – Chat with the local people and try to speak their language. You’re sure to get an instant smile and a laugh to seal those memories.

It’s not an exam – If you read up on the places you intend to visit, your experience will be enhanced, but your guidebook is just a guide. To truly experience a place, go off the beaten path. You”ll be glad you did

Slow Down – Our hurried concept of time is not the same in other cultures and local people’s thought patterns differ from your own. Challenge yourself and do like the local people do, just for a day

Create win/win situations – Bargaining is expected in many cultures and we all enjoy the haggling with a smile and a laugh, but it’s easy to carried away trying to find the best deal. Keep it in perspective and remind yourself that small amounts of money to us could equal the cost of an entire family’s meal that night

How big is your ecological footprint? – How heavily to you ‘tread’ on your holiday? Natural resources are precious and the size of your ecological footprint will have an impact. Re-use water bottles, don’t buy wildlife products, turn off lights and air conditioners and think about your waste disposal.

Go local – Buy from local markets and roadside vendors. This keeps money in the local economy and helps local people keep their jobs.

Giving back – Giving gifts and money unfortunately encourages begging. Instead, find a project to support or volunteer your time. This will have a more positive and long lasting impact on both you and them

 

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