Plastic-free tourism

Over the years, localities, businesses, and people have made efforts to protect the environment through the "Plastic-Free Tourism" movement. This movement has brought about many positive changes, contributing to the development of a green and sustainable tourism industry.

Locals and tourists use glass bottles in the Sung Sot Cave area, Ha Long Bay.

Since September 1st, 2019, in accordance with the government and Quang Ninh province's policy of eliminating the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic items, the Ha Long Bay Management Board has intensified its efforts to raise awareness among individuals, units, and businesses operating tourism services in Ha Long Bay and implemented many practical solutions to combat plastic waste.

The Ha Long Bay Management Board requests that organizations and individuals refrain from using single-use plastic products, including plastic cups, straws, water bottles, food containers, bowls, plates, and plastic bags, and replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives in tourism and service activities within the Ha Long Bay World Heritage Site. In addition, they are installing signs and distributing leaflets informing visitors about the prohibition of single-use plastic products at ports, tourist attractions in the bay, and on tourist boats. Simultaneously, they are organizing the signing of commitments to say no to plastic waste with businesses, households operating tourist boats and kayak services, and aquaculture businesses and households.

This is the second time in three years (2023-2025) that the theme "Combating Plastic Pollution" has been chosen, clearly demonstrating the global priority in controlling plastic pollution, while reaffirming the commitment to efficient resource use, biodiversity protection, enhanced resilience, innovation promotion, and strengthened regional and international cooperation, towards a circular economy and sustainable development.

Through coordinated and decisive actions, the program has now gained the consensus of the majority of businesses, travel agencies, cruise ship owners, local people, and tourists.

According to Mr. Vu Kien Cuong, Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the program has resulted in 204 businesses and households operating tourist boats; 15 businesses and households providing kayak and rowboat services; and 51 businesses and households engaged in aquaculture signing commitments not to use single-use plastic products in tourism services in the bay. The anti-plastic waste movement in Ha Long Bay has contributed to reducing plastic waste by over 90% in tourism activities in the bay; reducing the amount of styrofoam buoys on floating structures of organizations and individuals engaged in tourism business and services in the bay by 94%... At the same time, it has significantly changed the awareness and actions of the business community, local people, and tourists.

Not only Ha Long Bay, but also Co To island district has successfully piloted and implemented the "Co To Island District Free of Plastic Waste" project (Project 175) to promote sustainable tourism. To ensure the effectiveness of this initiative, Co To district requires transportation companies and travel agencies to guide and educate residents and tourists, from the moment tickets are sold at the port before departure to Co To island, to avoid using plastic bottles, plastic bags, single-use plastic items, and other items that pose a risk of environmental pollution. Simultaneously, the district encourages and mobilizes each resident on the island to uphold a sense of responsibility and actively participate in activities against plastic waste through concrete and practical actions; changing habits and saying no to single-use plastic products and plastic bags in shopping, daily life, work, and labor; and replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives. At the same time, participate in environmental protection activities in your living area through the smallest actions such as sorting waste at source, recycling, reusing waste, using raw materials and fuel economically; promptly condemn acts that pollute the marine environment, and wasteful habits of using resources and energy.

Tourists pick up trash, supporting the "Co To District Free of Plastic Waste" movement at the beach in Co To.

In particular, some accommodation establishments have created a new type of tour called the "garbage collection tour," which has been well-received by many tourists and locals, especially foreign visitors. Locals and tourists can collect garbage on the islands and beaches while simultaneously experiencing and exploring the beautiful tourist destinations on the island. Therefore, the "garbage collection tour" is becoming an attractive tourism product and is receiving positive support from those working in the tourism industry on Co To island district.

Following the example of Co To, on April 24, 2024, Van Don district also issued Plan No. 1299/KH-UBND on reducing plastic waste in 5 island communes. The plan sets the goal that, starting from the third quarter of 2024, 100% of units, agencies, organizations, and associations in the communes of Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Thang Loi, and Ban Sen will not use single-use plastic products in their activities, and will reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastic products by 80%; striving to reduce plastic waste by 50% by 2025 and aiming to eliminate plastic waste in these localities by 2030.

Currently, Minh Chau has seen the emergence of pioneering units spreading the message of zero plastic waste. Mr. Ha Huy Manh, owner of Phoenix Hotel in Minh Chau commune, shared: "From the initial idea to its operation over the past four years, our unit has consistently maintained the principle of protecting the island's environment through the smallest actions to spread awareness to residents and tourists. In all decorative spaces and construction materials, we maximize the use of recycled materials; we don't use single-use bottled water but replace it with glass bottles; we don't use plastic straws and minimize the use of plastic bags in daily operations…"

Quang Ninh province boasts a coastline stretching over 250km and is home to the World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, with its unique cultural, historical, scenic, and biodiversity values. In addition, the province has Bai Tu Long Bay and numerous large islands with beautiful natural landscapes and fresh air, making it an ideal resort destination for both domestic and international tourists. Therefore, encouraging and strictly enforcing regulations against the use of plastic bags and single-use plastic items by residents and tourists is essential, contributing to the protection of the marine environment and ecosystems, and promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism development.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/du-lich-khong-rac-thai-nhua-3361229.html