Lester V. Ledesma, a seasoned photographer, reflects on his almost 30 years of traveling through Southeast Asia, observing significant transformations in the region's tourism dynamics. He notes the struggles of popular spots like Bali with overtourism and the political issues in Myanmar that have hindered its growth. In contrast, he highlights three cities—Siem Reap, Ipoh, and Hanoi—as success stories that have improved over time. Specifically, Siem Reap has evolved from a humble cowboy town with a laid-back vibe to a vibrant destination with upscale hotels and a diverse culinary scene, making it worth revisiting.
When I first visited Siem Reap in 2003, it was something of a cowboy town, with more bicycles than cars. It wasn't a common feature on the average bucket list.
Over the years, I've watched destinations rise and fall. Some began as exotic tourism gems, but now struggle with overtourism - Bali is a good example of this.
There are a few special spots in Southeast Asia that I often revisit. Like well-made coconut wine, these three seem to get better as the years go by.
Two decades later, the hippie backpacker vibe in Siem Reap has been greatly diminished, replaced by a more cosmopolitan collection of chic boutique hotels and hipster cafés.
Collection
[
|
...
]