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| Green vegetable garden at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Resort. |
* Assoc.Prof.Dr. Le Chi Cong - Head of Tourism Department, Nha Trang University:
Green tourism standards bring many practical benefits
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The set of green tourism standards for Khanh Hoa province was developed based on a solid theoretical foundation and rich practical experience, and then received comments from leading experts at home and abroad. In particular, the set of standards received valuable contributions from Professor Christopher Anderson - Head of the Department of Service Management and Editor-in-Chief of the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly International Journal, contributing to improving the scientific nature and practical applicability of the set of standards. In addition, comments and suggestions from managers of the Khanh Hoa tourism industry, representatives of high-end accommodation businesses, restaurants, travel agencies and tourist attractions were also received and integrated in the completion process. The selection of the number of criteria was carried out carefully, based on in-depth consultation with experts and scientists, to ensure effective application, while improving the capacity to assess the greenness and sustainability of accommodation establishments as well as tourist destinations.
The implementation of the Green Tourism Standards in Khanh Hoa province brings many practical benefits to stakeholders, contributing to promoting sustainable tourism development. For tourism businesses, the application of the Standards helps to enhance brand image, increase competitiveness and attract environmentally-conscious customers - an increasingly popular trend globally. Local communities benefit through improved living environment quality, creating more green job opportunities and raising awareness of natural resource protection. Tourists will have more positive, authentic and responsible experiences when coming to Khanh Hoa - where tourism activities are closely linked to nature conservation, indigenous culture and community development. For local authorities, the Standards are an effective management tool, helping to orient tourism development in line with the goals of green transformation and sustainable growth. Through that, Khanh Hoa can affirm its position as a green, friendly and responsible tourist destination in the region and internationally.
* Dr. Pham Ha - Chairman and CEO of LuxGroup, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Green Tourism Association:
Green destinations must be managed effectively.
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The issuance of the Provincial Green Tourism Standards by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee is a very welcome thing, showing that the local government is very interested in green transformation in the tourism industry. However, currently, the province has only built a set of green standards for accommodation facilities and tourist destinations, which is not enough. In my opinion, the province needs to soon add a set of green standards for restaurants and transportation services, because only then will a green ecosystem be formed in tourism activities. At the same time, the province must have mechanisms to encourage the development of green tourism such as: financial mechanisms, tax reduction, land fund, etc. Most importantly, green tourism development needs to be synchronous, with only a few "green" enterprises, Khanh Hoa tourism cannot be green. The province has set a goal that by 2030, 80% of tourist attractions and tourism businesses in the province will be labeled green tourism. To achieve this goal, in my opinion, Khanh Hoa province needs to research and effectively manage green destinations. Instead of just encouraging businesses to implement, it is necessary to develop a roadmap to force businesses to implement basic green tourism criteria and standards, and encourage businesses to raise green tourism standards to the "advanced" and "excellent" levels. In the immediate future, the province will require accommodation establishments and tourist attractions to limit plastic waste and say "no" to non-degradable plastic bags...
* Mr. Le Hai - General Manager of Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort:
Start small
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Experience in green tourism at Ana Mandara Cam Ranh shows that one of the biggest barriers to applying green tourism standards is the high initial investment cost. Replacing conventional materials and equipment with environmentally friendly products, such as solar energy systems, advanced water-saving equipment, or sustainable construction materials, often requires a large investment. However, in the long run, these solutions not only help minimize environmental impacts but also bring about clear economic efficiency through saving energy, water and reducing waste treatment costs. Moreover, meeting green tourism standards also helps enhance the image and reputation of the resort, attracting customers interested in sustainable tourism, thereby creating a more stable and sustainable source of revenue.
If there is any advice for businesses that want to implement green tourism, it is to "start with the smallest things" such as: classifying waste at the source, or complying with energy and water saving processes, then moving on to higher steps such as converting to environmentally friendly materials, using renewable energy... However, implementing green tourism is not only about installing new equipment but also requires changes in the daily thinking and actions of each individual. Businesses need to have training programs to equip employees with knowledge about green tourism standards, sustainable operating procedures, the importance of protecting the environment and contributing to the community. For example, at Ana Mandara Cam Ranh, we always encourage each individual to become a "green ambassador", proactively proposing ideas and implementing environmental protection actions in daily work. In addition to internal efforts, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh also focuses on raising tourists' awareness of green tourism. We share about the resort’s sustainable initiatives, encourage visitors to participate in environmental protection activities with recycling workshops, baking from traditional ingredients, making safe hand sanitizer from fruit peels, making paper kites. These activities not only help visitors relax but also equip them with life skills and arouse the spirit of environmental protection in each individual, helping visitors understand more deeply the value of protecting the green environment.
* Tourist Eun Ji - Korea:
Community needed to join hands to create green wave
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When traveling to Khanh Hoa, I saw many green resorts. Like The Anam Cam Ranh where I stayed, the resort was full of trees and devoted a large area to green lawns, creating a pleasant feeling. I was very impressed with the room key card made of wood, which looked very cute and environmentally friendly. The resort does not use disposable plastic products, drinking water is produced and bottled right at the resort and all bathroom amenities are made of reusable materials. However, when I left the resort, I still saw a lot of waste. Shops in Nha Trang freely use plastic bags and foam boxes to store things for guests. That is not good at all. For green tourism to develop, in my opinion, it is necessary to promote communication work so that businesses - tourists - local people can join hands to create a green wave in tourism activities.
THANH NGUYEN (Written)
Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich/202506/thuc-day-du-lich-xanh-doanh-nghiep-du-lich-can-duoc-tiep-suc-47e360b/
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