We are celebrating the Norwegian National day, 17th May and are happy to offer our guests a fantastic 75% discount on our room rates. The discounted rate includes breakfast, and is available on 16th and 17th May [...]]]> We have some great news for those who are planning a trip to Siem Reap this week!

We are celebrating the Norwegian National day, 17th May and are happy to offer our guests a fantastic 75% discount on our room rates. The discounted rate includes breakfast, and is available on 16th and 17th May 2012 only. This is a special promotion, and can not be used in conjunction with any other offers and promotions.

With the very best wishes all of us at the Soria Moria.

TOP 25 DESTINATIONS IN ASIA

Soria Moria is  shortlisted as 1 out of 3 finalists in the Community Benefit Category, together with It’s less than a month left to the Tourism for Tomorrow Award ceremony in Tokyo, and we are getting very excited as it is moving into the final stages.

Soria Moria is  shortlisted as 1 out of 3 finalists in the Community Benefit Category, together with Saunders Hotel Group (Boston) and The Thailand Community Based  Tourism Institute.

Last month all the projects were visited by an on-site evaluator, and now it’s time for the Winners Selections Committee and Judges to select a winner. This award is often referred to as “The Oscars of the Tourism Industry” –and is one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism Industry recognizing sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across the full spectrum of the industry.

The Community Benefit Award is for tourism initiatives that has effectively demonstrated direct benefits to local people, including capacity building, the transfer of industry skills, and support for community development and enhancement and support for cultural heritage in the area.  The finalists in this category shows:

• a positive contribution to cultural heritage,
• a commitment to capacity building required for Travel & Tourism in destination areas, including fair wages,
• opportunities for local community input and empowerment on tourism development planning,
• and training and educational opportunities that result in economic and social benefits for local communities, including career advancement.

The finalists are also able to demonstrate how local people in the destination can become stakeholders and partners in the sustainable tourism efforts and/or in developing their own business.

The 2012 winners will be announced on 17 April at this year’s WTTC Global Summit in Tokyo from 16-19 April 2012, during the Opening Reception and Welcome Dinner.

In addition to Costas Christ, Chairman of the Judges, the 2012 Winner Selection Judges are Hon Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism, South Africa; H.E. Sergio Díaz-Granados, Minister of Trade & Tourism, Colombia; Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market & Just A Drop; and Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Traveler.

Naga Biofuels is a triple-bottom-line organization that strive to be socially responsible, environmentally friendly and financially viable, and supports some of the best charitable organizations in Cambodia. They process used [...]]]> We are very excited that from this month we are using biodiesel from Naga Biofuels the help power our generator.

Naga Biofuels is a triple-bottom-line organization that strive to be socially responsible, environmentally friendly and financially viable, and supports some of the best charitable organizations in Cambodia. They process used cooking oil into two usable products; Biodiesel that replaces diesel fuel in engines, and BioCleaner that replaces gasoline for cleaning engine parts. With a strong focus on environmental sustainability their facility produces many times more energy than it consumes, and the energy produced is clean energy from recycled sources. The biodiesel is cleaner burning and the smoke emitted is healthier to breathe than petroleum diesel fuel. They are careful to recover all excess methanol from the biodiesel reaction and use the safest chemicals possible for biodiesel production. The only thing that exits their production facility is soapy water.

Naga Biofuels began as a program to supply clean energy to a new Visitors’ Center at the Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC), Cambodia’s leading pediatric training and health care facility. They also provide biodiesel to our friends at PEPY & Sangkheum. Soria Moria has over the past years donated all our used cocking oil to produce biodiesel to support this project. Naga Biofuel has now moved into a sustainable business model, where they are also selling biodiesel – and we at Soria Moria are very happy to be able to purchase this biodiesel to help power our generator.

A number of restaurants are set up a little differently to ensure they benefit the local population. [...]]]> Siem Reap is a great place for food lovers! There are over 200 restaurants to choose from in Siem Reap, offering everything from local Khmer cuisine to Thai, French, American, Japanese, Italian, Indian, Scandinavian, Koran and more…

A number of restaurants are set up a little differently to ensure they benefit the local population. By eating at the following places, you will not only have a good dining experience, but can rest assure your money is spent at a good cause…

Sala Bai Hotel Scool
Sala Bai Hotel School is a high standard, free hotel school for young Cambodians coming from underprivileged families. The school also functions as a hotel and training restaurant. Delicious set menus are available, both Khmer and Western, and it’s open for Breakfast (7-9am) & Lunch (12-2pm). Because it is school, the restaurant is closed in the evenings, at week-ends and public holidays. Located on Taphul Road. For more informationclick here.

Green Star Restaurant
Green Star is a not-for-profit restaurant established through the great Green Gecko Project, and generates funds to support the their project activities. Serves delicious Khmer food at very low prices. Open every day from 11.30-2pm and 6pm-late. Located at the south end of Wat Bo Road (T-Intersection) after Wat Damnak. For more information click here.

Jo to Go
Jo to Go restaurant serves delicious coffee and shakes, and hearty meals. 100% of the profits from Jo to Go goes to support The Global Child. They also have a lovely boutique upstairs called Beao Fou. It’s open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is conveniently located next to the old market. For more information click here.

Common Grounds
Common Grounds Coffee House & Training Center is People for Care & Learning’s primary base of innovative assistance, providing micro-enterprise development and vocational training. It serves delicious cakes, and a selections of sandwiches and hot meals. Open Monday-Saturday for breakfast lunch and early dinner. Located on Street 14, near ANZ Bank (Central Market Branch). For more information click here.

Me MAD Eatery
Me – The MAD Eatery is a Cambodia’s first donation only restaurant. There are no prices on the food – customers simply make a donation based on what they think the food was worth.  100% of profits go to support MaD – Making a Difference for Good! Open Tuesday – Sunday from 10-10. Located next to Angkor King Plaza on Route 6 (By Angkor Wishing Hall). For more information click here.

HEAVEN
Heaven is a new training restaurant for young adult orphans who have to leave the orphanage and have nowhere to go. They offer these young people accommodation, food, medical care as well as work and a training in gastronomy. After they finish their training they help them find a permanent position. Opening hours: Monday + Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 10pm, and is located on Sok San Street, near X-Bar. For more information click here.

Soria Moria Fusion Kitchen
Soria Moria Fusion Kitchen offers paid vocational training placements for young adults from various organizations, with placements lasting from 3 , 6 & 9 months to 1 year. The weekly Wednesday $1-night is set up as special a training initiative for them to learn to work in a busy environment while still ensuring great customers satisfaction. For more information click here.

The Royal Order of Sahametrei is a medal presented by the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia by Royal Decree of the King of [...]]]> We would like to extend sincere congratulations to Thomas Holdo Hansen for being awarded the prestigious Royal Order of Sahametrei by Royal Decree of His Majesty the King of Cambodia.

The Royal Order of Sahametrei is a medal presented by the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia by Royal Decree of the King of Cambodia.

It is presented primarily to foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia, particularly in the field of external relations and diplomatic services or as a token of friendship.

The award was signed by the Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Padey Dekjo Hun Sen, and presented by  Lieutenant General Meas Savan at a ceremony at the Military Handicap Development Center (MHDC) Phnom Kulen, Siem Reap .

Located 40 minutes drive from Siem Reap town center, near Phnom Kulen, MHDC operates a public school, a medical clinic, a handicraft center and offers social housing for ex-military and their families.

The center has been set up predominantly to house army personnel and their families, who have been injured during the course of their career in the National Cambodian Army (NAC – National Army Cambodia), whether in active service or from landmine injuries. The conditions and injuries vary between severe paralysis, loss of sight, deafness or arms, hands or legs missing from land mine incidents.

The local primary school officially opened in December 2010 and the center itself was officially opened on Sunday 31st July with an official opening ceremony headed by the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Akkak Moha Sena Padey Dekjo Hun Sen.

Currently there are approximately 120 families housed at the center and over 80 children enrolled in the school, but this number is likely to double over the next year as more families move to the center. The school and health center are also open to those not living at the center.

We at Soria Moria are very proud to be a [...]]]> World Travel & Tourism Councils Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry and recognise sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across the full spectrum of the industry. This year’s finalists  has just been announced.

We at Soria Moria are very proud to be a finalists in the Community Benefit category. This is a great achievement for us!  A recognition like this is a unique opportunity to create more awareness and advocacy about the work we do, and hopefully our business model can be inspiring for other businesses.

Below is the pressrelease from WTTC, 23 January 2012, announcing the 12 finalists in the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

WTTC’S TOURISM FOR TOMORROW AWARDS SHOWCASE INITIATIVES LEADING THE WORLD IN SUSTAINABILITY

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) just unveiled the twelve finalists for its 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards . The awards are one of the highest accolades in the global Travel & Tourism industry and recognise sustainable tourism achievements among businesses and destinations across the full spectrum of the industry.

As sustainable tourism practices increasingly gain momentum around the world, organisations and destinations are raising the bar on best practices to new heights. Finalists of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards from five continents, including Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America, were selected for their outstanding achievements in four categories representing over 50 countries.

This year’s finalists of the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are:

Destination Stewardship (sponsored by Tauck & Partners) Entrants have successfully managed a sustainable tourism programme at the destination level, incorporating social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits as well as multi-stakeholder engagement. Finalists are:

• Destination Røros, Norway
• Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia
• Tanabe City, Japan

Global Tourism Business Representing international companies with at least 500 employees, entrants’ achievements marry corporate success with sustainable principles and practices. Finalists are:

• Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Singapore
• REI Adventures, USA
• Wilderness, South Africa

Conservation Entrants have made a direct and tangible contribution to the preservation of nature, including the protection of wildlife, expanding and restoring natural habitat, and supporting biodiversity conservation. Finalists are:

• Cheli & Peacock, Kenya
• Inkaterra Peru, Peru
• NamibRand Safaris: Wolwedans Collection, Namibia

Community Benefit Entrants directly benefit local people, supporting community development and enhancing cultural heritage. Finalists are:

• Saunders Hotel Group, USA
• Soria Moria Boutique Hotel, Cambodia
• The Thailand Community Tourism Based Institute, Thailand

Finalists were selected by an international panel of independent judges led by Costas Christ, Chairman of Judges and an internationally recognised expert on sustainable tourism. In the first stage of a comprehensive three-step judging process, judges selected award entries that best demonstrate the protection of natural and cultural heritage, delivering social and economic benefits to local people, and engaging in environmentally friendly operations, as well as other factors.

Unique among such tourism awards, the second phase of judging includes an on-site evaluation of each finalist to make in-depth assessments and gain a well-rounded picture of the organisations and businesses in practice.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said: “Travel & Tourism can have positive benefits for the planet and for local people by fostering the preservation of our natural, cultural, and historical heritage and by supporting community empowerment and revitalisation. Fortunately, more and more companies and destinations, are leading the way forward in demonstrating such practises.

For many years, our Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have helped showcase these projects, initiatives and operations that the tourism industry is already undertaking. Congratulations to our twelve finalists that are carrying the flag for sustainable practices in our own and other industries.”

Costas Christ said: “One day, there will be no need for awards to recognise those Travel & Tourism companies that are environmentally friendly, protect biodiversity and contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of local people. All Travel & Tourism businesses will operate that way in a new, and greener, global economy. Until then, it a great pleasure – and a true inspiration – to congratulate this year’s Tourism or Tomorrow Awards finalists, who are helping to lead the way forward in an evolution of this industry, where care for people, planet and profit, are all part of the new business bottom line.”

The Winner Selection Committee is drawn from media, government, non-profit organisations and the private sector. In addition to Costas Christ, the 2012 Winner Selection Committee judges are Hon Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism, South Africa; H.E. Sergio Díaz-Granados, Minister of Trade & Tourism, Colombia; Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market & Just A Drop; and Keith Bellows, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Traveler.

Winners and finalists will be recognised at WTTC’s annual Global Summit, held this year in Sendai/Tokyo, Japan from 16-19 April. Delegates at the Summit will find out the winners in each award category as part of the event’s official opening ceremony and welcome dinner on 17 April in Tokyo.

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are organised in association with Travelport and the Travel Corporation’s Conservation Foundation.

More details about the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards can be found on www.tourismfortomorrow.com

The movie also features Sangkheum Center for Children, and their weekly performance in Soria Moria. You can watch the video below:

[...]]]>
Our friends at Green Gecko have just finished their kids movie project about Cambodian Arts. Its a great short movie about traditional Cambodian Arts: Music, Bokator and Apsara Dancing.

The movie also features Sangkheum Center for Children, and their weekly performance in Soria Moria. You can watch the video below:

Thank you Green Gecko Team for sharing it with us!

For more information about Green Gecko and the great work they do, click here, and for more information about Sangkheum Center for Children, click here.

If you are in Siem Reap on a Friday, make sure you watch the performance by the Sangkheum Center for Children in Soria Moria. The proformance is free of charge, but we encourage donations to the center.

The performance starts at 19.00. Due to limited seating its advised to book in advance.