Exploring host-children's engagement in tourism in Cambodia

Research summary

Against the backdrop of children’s rights and child labour protection, we wanted to understand the perception of children themselves in undertaking tourism-related work. For this reason, the project was based in Cambodia due to its high reliance on tourism; and because 20% of Cambodian children are economically active, which is the highest rate in South East Asia.

In researching the topic, we took into consideration the two most controversial moral views on child labour: Universalism and Cultural Relativism. The 94 Cambodian host children showed us that they have both favourable and hostile perceptions of their engagements with tourism work. They also tended to be favourable to their engagement in tourism only when certain conditions were met.

We also found that the Universalist approach is not appropriate for Cambodia because of its poverty, education system, and the practice of Theravada Buddhism. Our data led us to a new framework that bridges Universalism and Cultural Relativism. We call this the Transformative Paradigm.

We recommended that the Cambodian government needs to:

  • Implement monitoring of host-children's voluntary participation in tourism activities, avoiding outright bans on their economic involvement.
  • Facilitate group tourism activities for host-children under guardian supervision to ensure safety and proper guidance.
  • Provide education on rights and social values to both host-children and tourists to foster understanding and meaningful interactions.

Research impact

The project directs policymakers and other stakeholders to provide safe and empowering places for host-children.
We advanced existing child labour controversies – Universalism and Cultural Relativism by proposing a Transformative paradigm. The Transformative paradigm can guide a new approach in public policy to address host-children's engagement in tourism and the wider labour market.

Research team

Independent Researcher

  • Mona Yang

Griffith University

  • Elaine Yang

Torrens University Australia

Research questions

  1. How do host-children perceive children's own engagement in tourism?
  2. To what extent, if any, are host-children's perceptions of their engagement in tourism related to social and cultural values?
  3. To what extent is host-children's engagement in tourism safe from physical and psychological abuse and exploitation?

Research aims

This research project set out to understand children’s engagement in tourism work (we refer to them as host children), from their own perspectives.

Research approach

  • We collected data from 94 host children in Cambodia.
  • Through a photo elicitation technique, we showed them four pictures of Cambodian children engaging in the four most common tourism work by host children:
    • Children begging tourists for money
    • Children performing traditional shows
    • Commercialised children in a slum tourism destination
    • A child selling souvenirs
  • The host children participants were asked to describe why and how these children were engaging in tourism in the photos, and their perceptions of children’s engagement in tourism.
  • We asked them how they engage in tourism and how their engagement in tourism has changed their lives.

Human Research Ethics Committee Griffith University #GU 2019/560

The ethical aspects of this research project have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of Griffith University, reference number GU 2019/560.