Digital transformation, green transformation in tourism businesses

Resorts at the Community Ecotourism Area in Pu Luong focus on green development, using environmentally friendly materials.

Thanh Hoa has emerged as one of the top localities in the country in terms of the number of visitors. Along with the growth in the number of visitors, the needs of tourists have also changed towards personalized experiences, smart services and a more friendly and responsible tourism environment. This requires tourism businesses in the province to quickly change in the digital transformation process. Up to now, the 4-5 star hotel system in the province has applied a number of software such as Staff app & Esign to scan citizen ID cards, HMS to manage accommodation and rooms, integrate online booking and automate check-in... to increase the experience and convenience for tourists. Along with that, providing electronic invoices, digital menus, online table reservations to optimize the service process and significantly reduce the amount of paper used each year.

Meanwhile, the province's community ecotourism areas are focusing on developing in parallel with digital transformation and green transformation. Up to now, all accommodation and food service establishments in Pu Luong, Ma village, But village, Nang Cat village, Cam Luong fish stream... accept cashless payments, book services via digital platforms, limit disposable plastic products and increase the use of environmentally friendly materials. This not only helps reduce operating costs but also impresses international visitors - a group of tourists who are particularly interested in sustainability. At some cultural tourism destinations such as Lam Kinh and Thanh Nha Ho, audio guides, digital maps and VR virtual reality experiences have been applied to help visitors approach heritage in a more vivid way, in line with the trend of experiential tourism and green tourism that is popular.

According to Sales Director of VNplus Travel Company (Hac Thanh Ward) Nguyen Ha Phuong, digital transformation helps businesses significantly expand their market, even during the low season.

“Previously, businesses relied heavily on traditional group customers, but since investing in advertising platforms, online booking systems and customer care, our number of individual customers has increased by 15-20% each quarter. Meanwhile, tourists now search for information and book services almost entirely through digital devices. Therefore, businesses that catch up with digital transformation will have the opportunity to reach more customers and retain them longer. But more importantly, digital transformation helps us understand customer needs better, thereby designing appropriate products and services,” said Ms. Phuong.

In recent times, the province's departments and branches have paid special attention to supporting businesses in digital transformation and green transformation through human resource training projects, technology transfer, building a smart tourism ecosystem and encouraging sustainable business models. Some of the province's smart tourism applications such as digital tourism maps, destination information systems,

The tourism website has been upgraded, helping tourists easily access information and contribute timely feedback. Along with that, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has coordinated with relevant departments and branches in supporting businesses in digital transformation, orienting the development of green tourism products for businesses in community eco-tourism areas.

Chairman of the Vietnam Green Tourism Association Phung Quang Thang said, "Thanh Hoa has many favorable conditions in the process of digital transformation and green transformation, because of its large market, diverse products and fast infrastructure investment speed. However, the challenge lies in the transformation capacity of small and medium enterprises - the force that accounts for a large proportion in the tourism ecosystem. If businesses are supported in training, access to technology, preferential capital and have model models to learn from, the transformation process will take place faster. In the coming period, Thanh Hoa province needs to continue to orient tourism development towards sustainability, smartness, with businesses and communities at the center. This is not only a trend but also the key to help Thanh Hoa tourism improve its competitiveness, attract high-quality visitors and develop stably in the future."

Up to now, many tourism businesses in the province have encountered difficulties in implementing digital transformation due to limitations in technology human resources, high initial investment costs or lack of real concern for sustainable benefits. Some 1-3 star accommodation establishments have not invested in centralized data management systems and smart tourism applications. In addition, the approach to green tourism models by businesses in some destinations is sometimes still formal, without forming a specific process, leading to unclear effectiveness.

In fact, digital transformation and green transformation are not only adaptation requirements, but are becoming a driving force, creating competitive advantages for tourism businesses. When management thinking changes, tourism service business models are optimized and the sustainable value of green tourism is placed at the center, it will be a solid foundation for Thanh Hoa tourism to develop more sustainably and sustainably. And, the companionship of all levels and sectors will be an important foundation for tourism businesses to have more opportunities and actively participate in the process of digital transformation and green transformation in the coming time.

Article and photos: Le Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuyen-doi-so-chuyen-doi-xanh-nbsp-trong-doanh-nghiep-du-lich-270885.htm