Looting is a poverty driven crime - if you truly value Cambodian art, the worst thing you can do is buy it. HeritageWatch is working hard to get this message across, both in Cambodia and abroad. Tourists are being informed about the negative consequences of buying looted art through the Heritage Friendly Program, public lectures, and exhibitions across the country. In another effort to lessen demand, HeritageWatch is petitioning governments to strengthen their antiquities legislation.
Heritage Friendly Tourism Campaign
In 2007, with the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage Watch put into motion an exciting and dynamic campaign with seven main aims:
1- Promote Responsible Tourism
2- Promote the arts, culture, heritage and development projects in Cambodia.
3- Discourage Heritage Destruction
4- Encourage Private Sector Philanthropy
5- Inspire Visitors to Discover more of Cambodia's Fascinating Heritage
6- Encourage Longer Stays in Cambodia
7- Alleviate Stresses on Heritage Sites by Suggesting Alternative Routes/Destinations