Photo tourism turns profits
Nathan Horton’s business model is straightforward. A professional photographer, Horton helps amateur photographers take pictures abroad. Photo tourism is an increasingly lucrative trade in Cambodia. Horton, who runs half-day jaunts in Phnom Penh and longer journeys into the provinces, is one of the practitioners capitalising on the trend. “There is a massive growth of people who want to have a holiday and learn something at the same time, photography in particular,” said Horton, who has done well in the seven years he’s offered tours in Cambodia. What started as $50 half-day trips around Phnom Penh now cost $80. To the more ambitious, Horton sells inclusive 10-day tours for $1,800. ... Taking pictures and travelling have always gone together, so creating a business out of it is a natural progression. Mohan Gunti, a consultant to the Cambodia National Tourism Working Group, called tourism and photography “modern twins”. “Photo tourism is not yet considered an independent type of tourism, but it is becoming an en vogue product due to growing demands.” As president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, Ang Kim Eang said local travel agencies should recognise the trend as a new revenue source. “The more photography tours are offered, the more tourists will come,” he said. “It will bring revenue and money into the economy and the tourism industry.” ...
Laura Ma
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/photo-tourism-turns-profits
