After 2 years of preparation, the Stung Areng Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) has opened its doors for business. The project will have positive impact by providing sustainable livelihoods to families in 8 villages. The project aims to provide alternative means of income to hunters and loggers in the communities.
This ecotourism model has proven to be successful in the village of Chi Phat which Wildlife Alliance helped to open for 10 years ago. Since 2007 slash and burn farming in the area has been mitigated. Similarly, Wildlife Alliance has provided the resources and training to teach people in Stung Areng new skills such as accounting, computer literacy and hospitality.
An opening ceremony was held on January 26 by H.E. Mithona Phouthong, Governor of Koh Kong Province, Suwanna Gauntlett, CEO Wildlife Alliance, local authorities and the communities of Stung Areng.
