Phnom Penh: The Council of Ministers has nominated Battambang as a candidate for membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the category of gastronomy. If Battambang were to become a member of this network, it would mean Cambodia had a fourth UNESCO site, after Preah Vihear, Angkor and the temple complex at Sambor Prei Kuk on the Thai border. All this would be great boost for tourism, just like what’s happened in Madrid, Spain.

On Sunday, UNESCO added Madrid's historic Paseo del Prado boulevard and Retiro Park to its list of world heritage sites. They take to 49 the number of sites now in Spain. World Heritage sites can be examples of outstanding natural beauty or man-made buildings. The sites can be important geologically or ecologically, or they can be key for human culture and tradition.

The tree-lined Paseo del Prado, and Retiro Park in the center of the Spanish capital, clearly meet these criteria and are two of the city's most visited attractions. El Retiro was originally a palace and gardens built for the personal use of King Felipe IV in the 17th Century. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was quick to celebrate the news, tweeting the deserved recognition for a space in the capital that enhances Spain’s historic, artistic and cultural legacy.