H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, European Council on Tourism and Trade President with the new Academician Dr. Thong Khon – Cambodia`s Minister of Tourism
Academician Thong Khon this is the new appellation of the Minister of Tourism of Kingdom of Cambodia after his election into world`s top academy: EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY.
The designation ceremony was held in Phnom Penh under the presidency of Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Hor Namhong, representative of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, and visiting H.E. Prof. Dr. Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.
It is the first time since 2014 when a non-head of state was accepted to this great honor.
Dr. Thong Khon makes part of the latest series of world leaders of tourism and development accepted in the leadership position in the European Tourism Academy in order to strengthen the leadership and the director on world tourism.
To date 200 top tourism leaders, heads of states, prime ministers, leaders of parliaments are involved in the development of a new world tourism concept, in supporting the global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy in charting the course towards an inclusive tourism based on culture, heritage and environment protection.
Dr. Thong Khon is one of the longest serving ministers of tourism in the world, taking up the job in 1998 and is the current Hon. Minister of Tourism of Cambodia and Head of National Olympic Committee.
He is a member of the Cambodian People`s Party and is a doctor in communication and social science of the University of the Sunshine Coast and Doctor in Arts (Tourism) of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyabur (Thailand).
Among his achievements that make him one of the world`s top ministers are: obtaining for The Kingdom of Cambodia the WORLD`S BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in 2016 paving the way for the nation most impressive tourism growth in Cambodia`s history.
Under his leadership the Ministry of Tourism succeeded in registering the city of Phnom Penh on the list of WORD`S CAPITALS OF CULTURE AND TOURISM, the first city in Indochina to receive this honor.
He was instrumental in launching the strategy of promoting tourism in Cambodia`s littoral provinces and islands, in creating the Mekong paved road in Phnom Penh.
He launched successful programmes for monitoring tourism quality, the Clean Cambodia initiative, and hosted the international conference on city culture in 2015.
Under his leadership The Ministry of Tourism obtained for H.E. Academician Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia the official role as GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS in recognition of his role in raising Cambodia from the horrors of war and desolation to peace and development.
With the selection of Minister Thong Khon as the newest academician in the world`s tourism academy, Cambodia becomes the first country in the world to have two leaders in the European Tourism Academy structures.
We mention also that Dr. Thong Khon is the first non-head of state that is selected in the global tourism body since 2014, a honor that speaks volumes about his achievements and strong personality.
ABOUT THE EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY
Founded in 2005, the European Tourism Academy (ETA) is the research and academic institution of the global tourism organization-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE.
European Tourism Academy (ETA) is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism on the world stage, in supporting the Agenda 2030 implementation and United Nations research initiatives.
European Tourism Academy is part of the Parliamentary Assembly for Sustainable Development Goals (PASDG).
European Tourism Academy (ETA) provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its members.
In partnership with private and public sector members, European Tourism Academy (ETA) enhances the sustainable growth, value, and quality of travel and tourism, provides leadership and counsel on an individual and collective basis to its member organizations.
European Tourism Academy (ETA) is rapidly expanding his activities for marketing, public relations, investments, branding, promoting, and establishing niche markets.
