Sustainable Travel - Impactful Choices

Sustainable travel to Cambodia helps small businesses give back to their communities with stops at non-profit cafés and guesthouses with philanthropy initiatives

By Jennifer Richardson

On a July afternoon, I roll into Siem Reap on a bus from Bangkok. This is my first time in Cambodia and I feel like my visit is long overdue. I can’t wait to start exploring this country known for its incredible history and culture.

When I first started travelling, doing it in a sustainable way made sense. It means slowing down and getting to know your surroundings in a meaningful way. Sustainable travel also ensures the money you spend goes directly back into the local community. Before my trip to Cambodia, I researched businesses that give back and found some guesthouses, shops and restaurants where the profits go to good causes.

SEVEN CANDLES GUESTHOUSE

© SEVEN CANDLES GUESTHOUSE

After getting off the bus, I cross the Siem Reap River, passing a few hostels bustling with backpackers before turning onto a little street to find the Seven Candles Guesthouse, locally owned and home to the Ponheary Ly Foundation. Some profits from my stay will go to this foundation, which directly supports the local community of Siem Reap. Guests can gather together for an evening meditation or morning yoga on the hotel rooftop. It’s more like a community than just a hotel, so I feel right at home.

THE PONHEARY LY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS CHILDREN EDUCATION

© PONHEARY LY FOUNDATION

The owner of the guesthouse, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide, built the foundation to expand educational opportunities for the youth of Siem Reap, the former capital of the Khmer Empire. The city has rebuilt itself time and time again. Though the word “defeat” is in its name (reap means defeated), it proves otherwise throughout my visit by showing its resilience and desire to support its residents, in part through the benefits of tourism.

Siem Reap has rebuilt itself time and time again. Though the word “defeat” is in its name (reap means defeated), it proves otherwise throughout my visit by showing its resilience and desire to support its residents, in part through the benefits of tourism.

One afternoon, I hop in a tuk-tuk and ask the driver to take me to the Phare Circus, located just outside of town. A friend who had visited Cambodia a few months back raved about it. The guesthouse also recommended it. How could I not go?

THE PHARE CIRCUS, A DRAMA AND ACROBATICS SCHOOL

© PAUL BLOOMFIELD

Founded by Cambodian refugees, the Phare Circus began as a space where ostracized local youth living in poverty could get a free education. Over time, it evolved into a drama and acrobatics school. The MC of tonight’s show called Khmer Metal talks about how the students are involved in every step of the production’s creative process. From the music to the fantastic acrobatics, the show comes together so beautifully that it moves some audience members to tears. I think it may be the best $14 I’ve ever spent.

I decide to extend my stay in Siem Reap to check out Sala Baï, a sustainable hotel which also serves as a vocational school to train young adults to become professionals in the tourism industry. The program is free for students through the profits of the hotel.

SALA BAÏ FIGHTS POVERTY THROUGH VOCATIONAL TRAINING

SALA BAÏ HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SCHOOL

SALA BAÏ FIGHTS POVERTY THROUGH VOCATIONAL TRAINING

SALA BAÏ HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SCHOOL

With a complimentary breakfast of local, fresh food, bikes to rent, an on-site spa and a beautiful room overlooking the garden, the property has everything I need. But one of the favourite parts of my stay is the friendly students. When I return after a day of exploring the city, I am greeted with their big smiles and a cheerful, “Hello, miss!” They wave to me as they sit sprawled across the garden to receive their daily work briefing.

EXPLORING THE CITY BY BICYCLE

On a sunny Saturday morning, I ride my bike into town and park in front of Peace Cafe. I think I’m just going for breakfast, but I discover a space that makes me want to stay in Siem Reap for weeks. They offer Khmer language classes, yoga every day and other communitybased programs where a mix of locals and foreigners are welcome. As I sit under the shade drinking a passion fruit smoothie, I realize there’s so much more to Siem Reap. It isn’t necessarily a place just to take pictures of the Angkor Wat ruins and head off to your next destination. I realize the city’s story can be told through its small businesses devoted to helping the local community.

ANGKOR WAT, SIEM REAP

The next day, I catch a bus to Battambang (known for its colonial architecture), but not before a quick lunch at New Leaf, a not-for-profit café. I have a few minutes to spare after I finish my delicious vegan wrap, so I browse the handmade gifts in the shop. Many are made from recycled materials, like the colourful wallet I buy fashioned out of cut-up newspapers and magazines. To me, it represents so much – a new purpose for something so easily thrown away and an opportunity to benefit local people.

I’m thankful for my time in Cambodia. I’m coming home with countless memories of the people I met and an understanding of how important it is to support small businesses focused on giving back to their communities. I’ve seen first-hand how travelling in a sustainable way offers ample rewards. It can help destinations write their own stories and create the changes they need. For travellers, making thoughtful, meaningful choices about where we spend money is something we can truly feel good about.