Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism

Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia

Rural
Culture

Village homestays beside a jungle-wrapped Angkorian temple

Banteay Chhmar is a 12th-century Angkorian temple in north-west Cambodia, close to the Thai border. Few tourists come here. Its bas-reliefs and faces of Avalokiteshvara sit half-swallowed by forest, and the site is on Cambodia's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage status.

The tours are run by a group of villagers formed in 2007, with more than 70 local people working as guides, cooks, musicians and homestay hosts. A typical stay includes the temple, an ox-cart ride through the village, a stop at the silk centre and dinner by torchlight inside the temple walls.

Sustainability

Climate & conservation

Temple protection, The group was set up by local villagers to protect the 12th-century Banteay Chhmar temple, and works alongside Global Heritage Fund's conservation programme at the site
Solar power, In 2010 the community fund, along with a contribution from Global Heritage Fund and private donations, paid for solar panels that replaced a petrol generator
Waste collection, A solid waste project started in 2010 collects rubbish weekly from 146 village families
Tree planting, Members planted more than 1,500 native plants and trees on the north side of the temple

Community & culture

Village-run, A committee of 15 unpaid villagers manages the homestays, cooking group and activities, rotating duties among members
Local livelihoods, More than 70 villagers work directly in the project as guides, cooks, homestay hosts and musicians
Community fund, A kitty funded by 20 per cent of tourist fees pays for upgrades to host homes, such as toilets and mosquito nets, and for village-wide improvements like water filters
Guide training, Heritage Watch has run English-language and guide training for local guides and heritage education for villagers

Commercial

Locally managed income, The cooperative receives all income generated by the heritage site and shares it with the community, family-run tourism businesses and education programmes

Sustainable Development Goals

Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

In brief

Price bracket: £
Type of tour: Community tourism · Cultural visit
Tour length: Up to 2
Activities: Cultural visit
Setting: Rural

Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia

£pp / night Visit website

Guide price · £ <£100 · ££ £100–300 · £££ £300–800 · ££££ £800+ pp / night