Dara’s early childhood experiences involved lots of road travels between his native Siem Reap and adopted homes in different districts and villages in Battambang Province thanks to his parents’ business locations. He remembers the traveling experiences in big military trucks or on his fathers’ motorcycle that took multiple nights of stay sometimes just between the two neighboring provinces because of the road conditions and military barricades along the roads. The vivid images of scenery, activities, faces, smiles, or sorrow that he encountered on the road trips as a child never cease to amaze him and give him a lot of questions and curiosity.
Compared to many other young Cambodians, Dara is fortunate to start and continue his career in travel, transport, hospitality, tourism, events & now in cultural and creative industries for over 20 years.
First because at the age of 17, he has met many people from all over the world allowing him to appreciate all cultures and people coming from different walks of life while working at Siem Reap International Airport. Second, with his airline career, he has seen the outside world at an early age which opened up his world views and his dreams for Cambodia. Third, with the world-renowned GUINNESS World Record setter, Phare Circus, he has been traveling around the world with Cambodian artists frequently and speaking about his experiences in travel, social entrepreneurship, and the creative industry.
He knows the beauty of his own country and of others. He knows what little things Cambodia can learn from others to adopt and showcase Cambodia as a full, sustainable, and dream travel destination for everyone of all kinds of travel interests and budgets. He understands what makes travelers cherish local experiences when they venture out of their daily environments.
Dara seeks his own calmness and peace. He helps others also find their souls, their raison d’etre, who they are, and what they are meant to be, and do through their travels to the spiritual, sacred, respectful, and relaxing places and local experiences in Cambodia.
