Preah Dak joins World’s Best Tourism Village Competition

Preah Dak village in Siem Reap has been selected by the provincial administration as one of eight tourism villages chosen from around Cambodia to represent the Kingdom in the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Best Tourism Village Competition 2024.The Provincial Administration announced on Wednesday that Preah Dak village would be a candidate for the competition.

Preah Dak is one of six villages in Preah Dak commune, Banteay Srei district, Siem Reap province, and almost all of Preah Dak​ villagers make a living from tourism due to its location near cultural centres such as Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei temples and Phnom Kulen National Park, which are popular tourist attractions.

Thim Sereyvuth, deputy director of the Siem Reap provincial department of tourism, said that Siem Reap province also chose Preah Dak village due to its authentic traditional characteristics.

He noted that local and international tourists often visit this village because they can experience the traditional Khmer lifestyle.

“Banteay Srei district authorities have set up roads, street lighting and a home garden. The village is also known as ‘One Village One Product’ as it sells traditional rice cakes, palm cakes, Khmer pancakes and many other items. Traditional handicrafts made of bamboo and other products are also available,” he said.

He said that in fact there are many reasons behind the Siem Reap Provincial Administration’s decision to choose Preah Dak village for the competition, and he expects the village will be selected by the World Tourism Organisation as the best tourist village in the world for 2024.

According to the Siem Reap Provincial Administration, at the request of the National Committee for Clean Cities Assessment, the Ministry of Tourism chose eight outstanding tourism villages to represent Cambodia at the UNTWO 2024 Best Village Tourism Competition.