A series of meetings of academics, ambassador, and government members in Siem Reap this week focussed on to best preserve the ancient site of Angkor in the face of rising tourism.

Georgina Lloyd of UNESCO lectured on how intangible cultural heritage, or the knowledge, beliefs, rituals and traditional practices of a culture, are often ignored when a site is planned, restored, and presented to tourists. She gave examples of tourists who, completely oblivious to the contemporary spiritual significance of Angkor, fail to remove their shoes and hats, and who step over Cambodians making offerings.

She explained that there is a perceived conflict between tourism and the activities of the local community. As a result, certain cultural practices have been banned, such as monks being told not to disturb tourist by entering the temple to pray and study. Other Cambodian’s have reported that they feel they are in the way of tourists when they pray and burn incense at the temples.

Edited from the Phnom Penh Post (4 Dec 08)