Promote green tourism development

In recent years, Khanh Hoa province’s tourism has shifted towards developing green tourism. However, up to now, the development of green tourism in the province still lacks uniformity… The province needs to soon have policies to encourage the development of green tourism, build criteria for green tourism…

"Greening" tourism activities

In recent times, the tourism industry in general and tourism businesses in particular have become increasingly aware of developing green tourism towards sustainable tourism development. The pioneer is Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. This is considered the first resort with a solar energy ecosystem in Vietnam built to provide sustainable energy for the resort such as electricity, organic vegetables and hot water. Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort is also a pioneer in developing green tourism by reducing plastic waste through operating an on-site bottled water factory and using environmentally friendly products such as: Paper straws, biodegradable tissues, packaging and paper bags. Waste from plants and leftover food is collected and converted into organic fertilizer to fertilize the soil, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. In January 2024, Ana Mandara Cam Ranh was awarded the "Asean Green Hotel 2024" Award.

Peaceful green space at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay.

In Bai Dai (Cam Lam district), resorts: Alma, The Anam have built vegetable gardens, fruit gardens, poultry and livestock farms for visitors to visit and experience. In addition, eco-tourism is also quite developed in Ba Ho tourist area (Ninh Hoa town), Lang Nho - Ho Lang Nhot tourist area (Dien Khanh district)... The two mountainous districts of Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh are also looking for directions to develop green tourism in the direction of community eco-tourism and agricultural tourism.

Green vegetable garden in Champa Island Nha Trang tourist area.

It can be said that green tourism development is increasingly being replicated. However, according to tourism experts, the development of green tourism in Khanh Hoa still lacks synchronization. Green technologies applied in the tourism sector have only stopped at using renewable energy in accommodation establishments, restaurants, and hotels; other green technologies such as clean water saving technology and energy optimization have not been widely applied. In particular, Khanh Hoa tourism currently only focuses on exploiting the advantages of the sea with pure services without diversifying and exploiting complementary tourism products, extending the length of stay and increasing tourists' spending. The exploitation and promotion of local cultural values ​​in tourism activities still have many limitations.

Green tourism criteria needed soon

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Trung Luong - former Deputy Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism), the development of green tourism not only plays an important role in protecting the environment and resources but also brings new values ​​to tourism products, contributing to improving economic efficiency, while maintaining the ability to exploit long-term and sustainable. To promote the development of green tourism, Khanh Hoa needs to have policies to encourage businesses to invest, convert technology, and solutions to become green businesses, or green tourism destinations because applying new technology to green tourism is very costly. Similarly, Mr. Le Dai Hai - General Manager of Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort said that in order for green tourism to develop strongly and widely, the whole community needs to join hands; in which, local authorities need to accompany businesses to develop green tourism together.

Having worked in tourism for many years, Mr. Pham Minh Nhut - Permanent Vice President of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association said that the province needs to soon issue criteria for green tourism, have policies and mechanisms to encourage the development of green tourism, thereby promoting and motivating other tourism units to participate in practicing green tourism. Once criteria for green tourism have been established, the tourism industry will organize the assessment and labeling of qualified businesses and destinations for tourists to recognize, as well as serve as a foundation to promote communication and promotion.

Young tourists experience gardening with staff at Ana Mandara Cam Ranh Resort.

Regarding this issue, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Thanh - Director of the Department of Tourism said that developing green tourism is inevitable. Last April, the Provincial People's Committee organized a forum on "Developing green and sustainable tourism" to seek solutions, mechanisms, and orientations for sustainable development of Khanh Hoa tourism. Currently, the Provincial People's Committee is coordinating with VinUni University to develop the Green Transformation Project for Khanh Hoa province in the period of 2024 - 2030, in which tourism is one of the priority areas for green transformation. In the draft project, it is expected that by the end of 2025, a set of criteria for evaluating and ranking green tourism businesses and tourist destinations will be announced and green labeling will begin for tourism businesses and tourist destinations throughout the province. The draft project also takes into account the application of green tourism development models in tourist areas and tourist destinations; Developing tourist routes connecting green tourism areas/destinations throughout the province with green quality products; building a strategy to position the green tourism brand; building a digital map of green tourism in Khanh Hoa; building smart applications connecting tourists and people to green tourism and entertainment spots... With the current conditions and orientation of the province, we believe that in the coming years, provincial tourism will have a strong transformation to green tourism activities, bringing sustainable development to Khanh Hoa tourism.

XUAN THANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich/202409/thuc-day-phat-trien-du-lich-xanh-1d3424f/