MICHELLE COOKE/FAIRFAX NZ REFLECTION: Temples are reflected in one of the park's many ancient pools.
MICHELLE COOKE/FAIRFAX NZ HOT SPOT: Tourists spend a lot of money, but little trickles down to the park villagers.
By MICHELLE COOKE
Last updated 15/02/2012
In the midst of Cambodia's mystical temples at Angkor Wat live 150,000 people, struggling to survive.
They live in 112 villages scattered throughout the 400 square kilometres of ancient temples, Cambodia's main tourist attraction, but the tourism boom passes them by.
Almost 1.5 million tourists paid at least $NZ24 each to visit the temples last year, but many would have no idea that the small paths winding through Angkor Archaeological Park lead to villages, where most people earn about $1.50 a day.
New Zealand taxpayers are contributing $1.5 million to help develop tourism initiatives for these villages, so they can generate an income from the tourist boom.
It is just at the beginning of a two-year contract, but the New Zealand Aid-funded non-governmental organisation Live and Learn has big plans.
New Zealand Aid funds several projects in Cambodia and Laos, largely focusing on developing tourism and clearing landmines and unexploded ordnances, which have stifled development in both countries, and tourism industries. Read article at The Stuff.
By MICHELLE COOKE
Last updated 15/02/2012
In the midst of Cambodia's mystical temples at Angkor Wat live 150,000 people, struggling to survive.
They live in 112 villages scattered throughout the 400 square kilometres of ancient temples, Cambodia's main tourist attraction, but the tourism boom passes them by.
Almost 1.5 million tourists paid at least $NZ24 each to visit the temples last year, but many would have no idea that the small paths winding through Angkor Archaeological Park lead to villages, where most people earn about $1.50 a day.
New Zealand taxpayers are contributing $1.5 million to help develop tourism initiatives for these villages, so they can generate an income from the tourist boom.
It is just at the beginning of a two-year contract, but the New Zealand Aid-funded non-governmental organisation Live and Learn has big plans.
New Zealand Aid funds several projects in Cambodia and Laos, largely focusing on developing tourism and clearing landmines and unexploded ordnances, which have stifled development in both countries, and tourism industries. Read article at The Stuff.
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