Music: ‘Journey’ by Ingolv [...]]]> Soria Moria Educational Development Program believe essential factors in the development process are to facilitate economic growth, create secure workplaces, provide education on a higher level and encourage development of socially responsible leaders to bring the country forward. This video gives you a short introduction to the work we do.

Music: ‘Journey’ by Ingolv Haaland (www.ingolvhaaland.com)

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.

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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.