Reeds and loofahs become more popular
VITM 2024 caught worldwide tourism trends and tastes of the customers, that was green tourism. Flamingo Company's booth stood out with a panel featuring six green philosophies as a reminder to tourism workers and visitors.
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Collecting rubbish to clean up the maritime environment in Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba island, Hai Phong city |
According to Pham Van Bay, Deputy Director of Vietravel Tourism Company’s branch in Hanoi, the company has promoted green transition with the motto “A small act can change visitors’ habits and opinions.” Coming to Vietravel’s booth, visitors can scan QR codes to get information instead of receiving leaflets.
Apart from big enterprises, small businesses have intensified green transition. “Muoi co” (a type of salt made from grass) of Nam Quoc Group is an example. Introducing this product at the VITM 2024, Director of Investment and Production of the group To Huynh shared that the product is made following the recipe of ethnic minority groups. It is suitable for travel.
Meanwhile, KB Sun Trading Co., Ltd. introduced slippers and coasters made from loofah; Huhipro Co., Ltd. displayed cups, brushes, and water bottles made from bamboo; and Mana Vietnam Manufacturing and Trading Co., Ltd. exhibited natural reed straws, among others.
VITA General Secretary Vu Quoc Tri shared that VITA’s message was to reduce plastic waste, moving towards a green travel mart. The VITA called on units and businesses to join hands in building green and sustainable tourism by not using plastic water bottles and plastic bags at the event; encouraging partners and customers to limit the use of single-use plastic products; and actively engaging in activities to protect the environment, among others. The organizers also provided each booth with large bottles of water and free paper cups during the four-day event.
Green transition is an inevitable trend
According to Luong Thanh Nam, founder of the Vietsolutions Group, the biggest obstacle in green transition is cost, especially in the context of tourism recovery post COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharing his views, VITA Chairman Vu The Binh stated that green transition is an inevitable trend as the State will issue strict regulations on environmental protection. If people working in tourism sector delay green transition, they will suffer more losses.
Nguyen Cong Hoan, General Director of Flamingo Redtours, voiced his opinion that Flamingo has boosted green tourism for a long time and reaped many benefits. Apart from green building, the company aims at an energy-saving and emission-reducing operating process and a civilized environment. Friendly people and a green environment will promote sustainable tourism development.
Concept of green tourism
How can visitors find green destinations and businesses? What basis do businesses and communities have to follow to promote green tourism? And what basis do managers use to check and verify? Therefore, according to experts, we should set specific criteria to develop green tourism.
Chairman of the Vietnam Travel Association Phung Quang Thang suggested that enterprises should set their own criteria, while VITA General Secretary Vu Quoc Tri said that VITA is building green criteria by reducing plastic waste. These criteria will be applied to hotels, restaurants, travel agents, and destinations. Enterprises can apply for registration and self-declare green criteria, VITA will check to issue a certificate - a "passport" to identify green enterprises.
According to Vice Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism's Travel Management Department Pham Le Thao, the department built green criteria for tourism. Based on the specific criteria, the department will conduct dissemination activities among people and businesses to develop green tourism. However, these criteria must be in accordance with the national standards to be synchronized and recognized.
Translated by Quynh Oanh