Cardamom Tented Camp, an ecolodge located in Cambodia’s Botum Sakor National Park, has been awarded a gold distinction in the ‘Nature Positive’ category at the 2025 ICRT Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Awards.
The awards ceremony took place on 18 June at the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila, where 24 tourism operators from across Southeast Asia were recognized for initiatives that demonstrate responsible and sustainable practices in the industry.
The camp’s business model was cited by judges as a key reason for its selection. It co-funds forest patrols to protect approximately 18,000 hectares of forest in the park, resulting in a significant reduction in deforestation and poaching since its opening in 2017.
The camp’s conservation efforts have contributed to a recovery in local wildlife populations and provide guests with close encounters with native flora and fauna in a way that avoids negative ecological impacts.
The award qualifies Cardamom Tented Camp for the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) global awards, which will be held in November.
These awards recognize operators with proven records of reducing tourism’s negative impacts while offering benefits to local environments and communities.
“We are grateful to the judges for recognising the commitment of everyone involved at the camp,” said Allan Michaud, wildlife photographer and conservationist. “We strive to deliver a genuine ecotourism experience in a setting we are proud to protect.”
Also on 18 June, Cardamom Tented Camp was named among Cambodia’s best accommodation experiences in the 2025 Travel+Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific, which took place in Bangkok.
Michaud accepted this recognition on behalf of the lodge, which he has managed since its launch in 2017, according to Travel Weekly.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the camp’s success provides a relevant case study in how ecotourism ventures can support biodiversity protection while offering immersive guest experiences.
Its model of conservation financing through operations may be of interest to businesses considering sustainable development or partnerships with environmental organizations.