Determined to develop green tourism

Developing green tourism is a growing trend and an essential requirement for the tourism industry. To promote green tourism development in the province, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VH-TT-DL) has advised the Provincial People's Committee to develop a set of green tourism standards for Khanh Hoa province. Representatives from many businesses are very enthusiastic about this information and have indicated that they will register to implement green tourism.

A specific set of standards is needed.

In recent years, Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa tourism has focused on developing green tourism by limiting the use of single-use plastics; building environmentally friendly tourism models, and promoting local cultural values ​​in tourism activities... However, the development of green tourism has not been synchronized, and the number of businesses responding is still limited. Therefore, at the end of 2024, the Provincial People's Committee issued a Plan for the development of green and sustainable tourism in the province until 2030 with the following goals: By 2030, 80% of tourist destinations and tourism businesses in the province will be labeled as green tourism; 80% of tourism businesses generating wastewater of ^10m³ /day or more will have wastewater treatment facilities, equipment, and systems that meet environmental technical standards; and 80% of tourism businesses will commit to not using single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic bags. 95% of tourism businesses invest in and use renewable energy; four tourism routes connecting green tourism areas and destinations throughout the province have been developed… To promote the development of green tourism, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has coordinated with a consulting unit to draft the set of green tourism standards for Khanh Hoa province, which will be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee for promulgation.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung presents the "ASEAN Green Hotel 2024" award to the representative of Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort.

According to Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in recent years, many resorts in Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa have proactively developed green tourism, hoping to be recognized and certified as meeting green tourism standards, but the department cannot do so because the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has not yet issued a set of green tourism standards. Therefore, to promote the development of green tourism, the province needs to proactively develop a set of green tourism standards, as some other localities have done. A set of green tourism standards will help tourism businesses review their green transformation and sustainable development activities, set specific standards to improve the quality of services and the experience of tourists; at the same time, it will help state management agencies control, monitor and encourage tourism activities to develop in an environmentally friendly direction, thereby contributing to improving the quality of tourism and creating a solid foundation for the long-term development of the tourism industry. This not only helps improve the image of tourism businesses but also contributes to building Khanh Hoa province into a sustainable and attractive tourist destination.

Mr. Pham Minh Nhut, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, expressed: “Green tourism has become an essential requirement and a solution for sustainable tourism development. Khanh Hoa cannot delay any longer in building and promulgating the set of green tourism standards, because without these standards, businesses wanting to develop green tourism will have to figure things out on their own. Without specific criteria, we cannot recognize green tourism facilities and destinations, nor can we promote green tourism…”

Businesses are enthusiastic about green tourism.

Speaking at a recent working session, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Thieu stated that the Provincial People's Committee will soon issue a set of green tourism standards. He emphasized that the province is implementing the "Green Transformation Project of Khanh Hoa Province giai đoạn 2024 - 2030" with the goal of becoming a green, civilized, modern, and sustainably developed city, a desirable place to live and work; in which green tourism development is one of the seven key areas. The development of the green tourism standards is only the first step in promoting green tourism development in the province. To green the tourism industry, the province will direct relevant departments and agencies to implement green labeling for tourism businesses and destinations throughout the province (after the standards are issued); survey and compile a list of tourism products to be developed into green tourism products; and connect green tourism areas and destinations throughout the province to build green tourism tours. At the same time, the provincial tourism industry will accelerate the implementation of a green tourism brand positioning strategy, disseminate information, raise awareness among the community, tourists, and businesses about green and sustainable tourism development; build information and data and promote Khanh Hoa's green tourism domestically and internationally…

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort promotes green tourism by building an organic vegetable garden.

Representatives from many businesses in Khanh Hoa were delighted to learn that the Provincial People's Committee will soon issue a set of green tourism standards and conduct assessments and recognition of green tourism facilities and destinations. Mr. Le Dai Hai, General Manager of Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort, stated: “For many years, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort has been a pioneer in developing green tourism by reducing plastic waste through the operation of an on-site bottled water factory and the use of environmentally friendly products (paper straws, biodegradable napkins, paper packaging and bags, etc.); waste from plants and leftover food is collected and transformed into organic fertilizer to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. In January 2024, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh was one of five hotels and resorts in Vietnam to be awarded the “ASEAN Green Hotel 2024” award. However, because Khanh Hoa's tourism industry does not yet have a set of green tourism standards, we cannot register for green resort certification. Therefore, we are very pleased to learn that the Provincial People's Committee will soon issue a set of green tourism standards. We will review, compare, and complete the criteria so that Ana Mandara Cam Ranh can be granted certification.” "Accommodation facilities that meet green tourism standards."

According to Comrade Dinh Van Thieu, in the coming time, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, and other relevant departments and agencies need to strengthen propaganda to encourage businesses to promote green tourism and register for assessment to achieve green tourism standards. Initially, the Provincial People's Committee will evaluate facilities and destinations that meet green tourism standards; in the long term, the Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association will undertake this task.

XUAN THANH

Green tourism is a type of tourism that operates in a way that minimizes environmental impact, makes a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation, utilizes renewable energy, promotes natural and cultural heritage, and develops environmentally friendly products.

The draft Green Tourism Standards for Khanh Hoa Province include: Green tourism standards for tourist accommodation establishments with 102 indicators and green tourism standards for tourist attractions with 100 indicators related to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions; carbon emissions; energy consumption and efficiency; resource utilization, environmental conservation and biodiversity; waste management and recycling; training and protection of workers' rights; support for local community development; procurement policies and support for local suppliers…

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich/202504/quyet-tam-phat-trien-du-lich-xanh-25229fd/