Join Minister Minister Phouerng Sackona, a panelist on the #ASEANMuseumCongress as she presents a paper entitled “Angkor Wat to Cambodians during the Pandemic” on October 26, the first day of the #ASEANMuseumCongress. Minister Sackona’s presentation will tackle the cultural and political importance of Angkor that prompted the government’s actions in Angkor during the pandemic. She will talk about the impact of the pandemic to the tourism industry at Siem Reap and how the APSARA National Authority has dealt with it. Prior to the pandemic, there were around 2.2 million tourists who visited the Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap in 2019. Although this was already around one-third of the total number of tourists who visited Cambodia in the said year, the number of tourists was still lower than the previous years. Tourism is a major economic earner of Cambodia; in 2019 alone, this UNESCO World Heritage Site made a gross revenue of US$99 million. But like the other world heritage sites, the Cambodian government is confronted with managing and addressing the impact of so many visitors to safeguard not only the Angkor but its surrounding communities as well. When the world’s activities were disrupted because of COVID-19, the tourism in Cambodia also halted, at least, in terms of foreign tourists. With borders closed, the Angkor is left to the Cambodians. “The city fell down drastically as our tourism industry was put on pause. However, comes with every challenge an opportunity. As the country is getting ready to reopen, we also take this opportunity to build for a more sustainable tourism industry by steeping our preparation,” said Minister Sackona. UNESCO describes the Angkor as one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr. Phoeurng Sackona is Cambodia’s Minister of Culture and Fine Arts since 2013 to present. In that role, Dr. Sackona is responsible to oversee the preservation and promotion of Cambodia’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and to establish initiatives for their national sustainable development. She is also the President of Apsara National Authority which represents the Royal Government of Cambodia at ICC-Angkor and the Board of Directors of the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). Registration is now open for museum professionals and those working in the museum sector to join the ASEAN Museum Congress 2021 scheduled on October 26-28, 2021. You may register online at https://bit.ly/3zNRXeo. For more information, email us at communications@nationalmuseum.gov.ph or at ASEANMuseumCongressPH@gmail.com. Last day of registration is on October 21, 2021. Register now to secure your participation! © National Museum of the Philippines (2021)
Posted 2 years ago
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