Green transformation in tourism: "Green" from awareness to sustainable development

Sustainable tourism development is about how to exploit, use resources reasonably and effectively, save resources; provide environmentally friendly services, and meet the needs of tourists.

Green transformation in tourism requires "green" awareness for sustainable development. (Illustration photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

Not only digital transformation, Vietnamese tourism is also striving for green transformation for sustainable development. This roadmap is reflected in the national strategy as well as approved by the Prime Minister in the circular economic development project. However, to create a truly "green look" for the smokeless industry, there is still a lot of work to do, from the State to local levels as well as businesses.

Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan shared about the story of green transformation for Vietnamese tourism.

Understanding "Green" in tourism

- Tourism industry Viet is choosing convert green strongly sustainable, how do you evaluate this effort?

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: Tourism is an economic sector, so of course tourism must be a pioneer in implementing green transformation according to the national strategy on green growth as well as the circular economy development project approved by the Prime Minister .

In other words, green transformation is the task and responsibility of the tourism industry because tourism is a very resource-intensive industry. Therefore, the exploitation and use of resources must follow the direction of green growth, circular economy, applying circular economy models, green growth measures to implement in accordance with the goal of sustainable development, properly implementing the commitments of the Vietnamese Government to the international community according to international sustainable development programs.

Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan. (Photo: Mai Mai/Vietnam+)

- But in reality today , Number of units and businesses implementing conversion x British tourism is still low. So, according to you, what is the reason? why

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: The first reason is due to incomplete and incorrect awareness of green growth and circular economy in the tourism sector. Many tourism businesses understand green tourism as tourism in natural places without understanding that behind the concept is green growth, which means how to exploit, use resources reasonably and effectively, and save resources according to the goal of sustainable development.

Green tourism must ensure respect for resources, protect the environment, apply measures such as using clean energy, renewable energy, using resource-saving solutions, especially wastewater and waste treatment systems to ensure no discharge into the environment, build a clean environment and destination, protect ecological safety as well as ensure environmental issues. In addition, businesses also need to apply technological measures in the process of producing environmentally friendly products and services, friendly to the needs of today's tourists.

Obviously, many businesses still have incomplete and incorrect awareness of these things. Therefore, the implementation of green tourism in the Vietnamese business community is still limited. This reality also has the responsibility of the State and functional agencies in propagating and disseminating policies and guidelines to the business community and people in implementing green transformation.

Con Dao needs to be developed sustainably to protect its green, clean, safe and friendly destination. (Photo: CTV/Vietnam+)

Attracting international resources

- The process from perception to action action , Implementation also needs to be motivated by funding in addition to incentive and support policies. However , presently Vietnam travel no source any support even Documents and policies have not been completed yet. So what recommendations do you have for businesses to implement? currently converting green sustainable, effective?

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: The Government and the Prime Minister have recently emphasized the need for businesses to implement green growth and a circular green economy. However, to implement this, first of all, one of the limitations and challenges is the financial issue, while implementing green growth will be very costly. Therefore, the State needs resources to support and prioritize tourism.

The national green growth plan mentions that tourism has become a high priority group. Thus, the State will certainly allocate resources for development. However, the responsibility here is not only the State at the central level but also localities need to prioritize and have a correct awareness of green growth and circular economy with certain resources and the most optimal budget to support infrastructure investment as well as raise correct awareness.

For example, investing in green infrastructure with modern wastewater and waste treatment systems in priority tourist areas and destinations, especially national-level tourist areas and destinations such as Phu Quoc and Con Dao. Then investing in green energy use, clean energy production, etc. These are things the State needs to do.

Second, the State needs to encourage businesses to invest in the production and use of renewable energy to replace the current use of fossil energy. The State, the people and the business community work together. It is necessary to call on international organizations to participate in support, such as UNDP is supporting Vietnam.

Green, environmentally friendly and tourist-friendly destination. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

Many other international organizations are also interested in green growth and sustainable development, so they are willing to devote resources. The problem is how we approach international organizations and developed countries that focus on sustainable development, circular economy development or green growth to attract resources from them for Vietnam tourism.

- Grandfather have suggestion , What policy recommendations? for green tourism development in Vietnam ?

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: In the tourism sector, there should be government policies on tax exemption and reduction for businesses investing in renewable energy, using clean water sources and treating wastewater and waste in tourist areas and spots. These are policies that need to be encouraged and supported if businesses stand up to do it on behalf of the government.

For example, Phu Quoc is a large tourist area but does not have a wastewater and waste treatment system. If the State cannot do this, it needs to have specific mechanisms and policies on taxes, credits or policies that help businesses benefit to encourage them to invest in new areas, helping to implement the national strategy on green growth or the circular economy project approved by the Prime Minister.

Eliminate negative issues, build green destinations

- There is another reality related to civilized behavior in tourism. Although the number of international visitors to Vietnam has started to increase sharply in the first quarter, which is a positive sign, along with that is the phenomenon of tourists still being "ripped off" at famous destinations, especially around Hoan Kiem Lake in recent times. In your opinion, what responsibility should the management agency have to make the tourism environment green and clean, and regain a good image in the eyes of tourists?

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: This is the responsibility of the local state management agency. Because this agency must maintain and protect the destination environment. Building a civilized and friendly environment or not, behaving well or not requires the role and responsibility of the authorities in strictly implementing handling measures when detecting organizations and individuals causing negative events.

It is necessary to build wastewater and waste systems in tourist areas and spots to ensure a green and clean environment. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

It is necessary to set up a tourist information reception center, with a 24/7 hotline in tourist areas for tourists to report, and even when people discover violations such as overcharging, stalking or causing inconvenience to tourists, they can immediately report to the local authorities. Therefore, the responsibility of the permanent agencies is very important, there must be someone to receive and timely handling measures.

Only then, I believe that negative problems will be solved, overcome and contribute to creating a good image for the destination as well as building a green, clean, beautiful and safe destination brand for Vietnamese tourism.

- In your opinion, are the current sanctions for violations strong enough to deter violators?

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan: I think not. I think the tourism industry needs to propose more strict measures. Similar to traffic, there have been very severe penalties for the use of alcohol in the past. Therefore, the authorities need to propose regulations to impose heavier penalties on the acts of overcharging, stalking, and cheating tourists, both domestic and international.

Not only do regulations need to be issued, but most importantly, the management agency needs to enforce and handle them strictly. If there are regulations but the authorities do not strictly implement them, do not fulfill their roles and responsibilities, then they will not bring about practical results.

Thanks for sharing!

Source