"Net Zero tour" - Tourism model towards green transformation

(To Quoc) - "Net Zero tour" has recently emerged as a new tourism trend that has been welcomed by many tourists. This is also a model that tourism businesses are very interested in when determining that developing sustainable tourism on the basis of green tourism is a consistent and long-term direction.

"Net Zero tour" - new travel trend

Sustainable tourism development must inevitably follow the direction of green tourism. Recently, many travel agencies have been focusing on researching and exploiting tourism products associated with environmental protection. This is considered a suitable direction in the current context. In particular, "Net Zero tour" has emerged as a new tourism trend that is welcomed by many tourists.

According to experts, the earth where we live every day is created from the blue of the sky, of forests, and of green shoots. However, that blue is gradually disappearing due to environmental pollution. Incomplete statistics show that in Vietnam, on average, about 1.8 million tons of plastic waste are discharged each year. Therefore, it is necessary to join hands and come up with timely solutions. The birth of "Net Zero tour" is one of those solutions.

Tourists participate in the "Net Zero tour" experience in Hue. Photo: iVietnam Travel

"Net Zero tour" is a new concept related to organizing tours in which all activities from transportation, accommodation, food and other activities are carried out with the goal of minimizing carbon emissions into the environment. Green experiences, associated with environmental protection messages, reducing plastic waste from tours following this trend are important for responding to climate change.

This new tourism trend is also completely consistent with the National Strategy on Green Growth for the period 2021-2030, vision 2050 in Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg and the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to 2030 in Decision No. 147/QD-TTg approved by the Prime Minister. Accordingly, sustainable and inclusive tourism development, on the basis of green growth, maximizes the contribution of tourism to the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

Recently, at the High-level Tourism Forum "Green transformation, NET ZERO tourism - Creating the future" to enhance green transformation, promote NET ZERO development for the Vietnamese tourism business community, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung also emphasized that Vietnam has always shown itself to be a responsible country, committed to implementing the established treaties, respecting the recommendations of international tourism organizations, especially the World Tourism Organization UNWTO.

According to Minister Nguyen Van Hung, the UNWTO approach to developing green tourism needs to be closely linked to protecting and respecting the environment, sustaining people's lives. At a higher level, Net Zero tourism will aim to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions and negative impacts on tourism activities.

Many prospects for developing "Net Zero tour" in Hue

Recently in Thua Thien Hue, "A day of Net Zero tourism in Hue" is a tourism model that iVietnam Travel has put into trial exploitation. This is considered the first professional "Net Zero tour" tourism product in the area with the desire to convey green messages and protect the environment. The exploration and experience activities in this tour have received very positive feedback from tourists.

Joining the "One Day Net Zero Tour in Hue", visitors will start their journey with green vehicles such as energy-saving electric cars and environmentally friendly bicycles. Using glass bottles instead of plastic bottles, using cloth bags instead of nylon bags. Two stops on the tour are destinations of the "Hue - a plastic-reducing urban area in Central Vietnam" project, Thuy Bieu eco-village and KODO Hue Hub - Cultural - Educational - Artistic Complex.

Tourists visit destinations under the project "Hue - a plastic-free city in Central Vietnam" during the "One-day Net Zero tour in Hue" tour. Photo: iVietnam Travel

The final activity of the tour is SUP rowing to watch the sunset, combined with garbage collection to protect the water source of the Huong River. In the macrobiotic meals, visitors will be given priority to use local food and balance the amount. In addition, visitors can also support the locality by buying specialties here.

According to Ms. Nguyen Anh, CEO of iVietnam Travel, the roadmap to convert to "Net Zero tour" includes 3 steps: Accurately calculating the amount of emissions that the trip creates; Reducing carbon emissions by applying sustainable tourism conversion measures; Offsetting carbon emissions by planting more trees and supporting forestry projects.

"The cost of a "Net Zero tour" is on average 10-15% higher than a traditional tour, however, the value of the tour is huge, such as: Reducing waste emissions into the environment. Building a sustainable tourism community right in the locality. Changing customers' mindset in choosing sustainable itineraries. In addition, it will partly offset the CO2 emissions that the tourism industry has released into the environment," Ms. Nguyen Anh shared.

In November 2024, "A Day of Net Zero Tourism in Hue" was awarded the Second Prize at the Thua Thien Hue Province Innovation and Startup Competition. Currently, this product has been posted on online sales channels and received positive feedback from customers on the prestigious international review site TripAdvisor.

Leaders of Thua Thien Hue province and delegates visited and learned about the booth introducing the project "A day of Net Zero tourism in Hue".

Some experts and managers also recognize and evaluate that "Net Zero tour" is a promising tourism model in Hue when business units are currently taking the orientation of sustainable tourism development on the basis of green tourism as a consistent and long-term development path.

Recently, the National Assembly passed a Resolution on the establishment of Hue City under the Central Government on the basis of preserving and promoting the value of the ancient capital's heritage and Hue's cultural identity. In the common vision, "Net Zero tour" promises to be a tourism trend that contributes to protecting and building the title "Hue - the first cultural heritage city of Vietnam".

Source: https://toquoc.vn/net-zero-tour-mo-hinh-du-lich-huong-toi-chuyen-doi-xanh-20241206003251085.htm