Fostering Sustainable Green Tourism Development

The imperative of green tourism development assumes a pivotal role in safeguarding the environment and resources, concurrently infusing novel values into tourism products, and bolstering economic performance.

   
Delegates convene at the 2023 forum to discuss the trajectory of green tourism and sustainable growth

During the Vietnam Green Tourism Development Forum in 2023, themed "Green and Sustainable Growth," Mr. Hoang Dao Cuong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, highlighted the robust recovery of Vietnamese post-pandemic tourism, with its global visibility on the rise. However, alongside these accomplishments, the tourism sector grapples with challenges such as local overcrowding, seasonality, and environmental management. Embracing green and sustainable tourism has evolved into a global trend, evident in the escalating interest in eco-friendly criteria when selecting destinations and tourism products.

Do Phuoc Trung, Deputy Director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Tourism, underscored the significance of community tourism as an effective instrument in achieving sustainable development goals. Community tourism not only uplifts local livelihoods but also preserves and promotes indigenous cultural values and natural tourism resources. Despite its merits, the confluence of tourism community development and green growth faces hurdles. The utilization of agricultural and forestry land for community tourism poses risks such as misallocation of agricultural land, unauthorized land-use conversions, and illicit construction on agricultural land.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Nguyen Le Phuc, emphasized that the trajectory of developing green tourism, environmentally, and socially responsible tourism is not just a trend but an imperative and a crucial strategic direction for Vietnam's tourism sector.

In line with the global trend, Vietnam views green tourism as a sustainable development direction and has great potential to develop it

In recent years, green tourism has garnered increasing attention and emerged as a critical development trajectory globally. The theme "Green Tourism and Investment" was chosen for World Tourism Day 2023, underscoring the urgency to augment investments in green tourism for sustainable development.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute of Tourism Development Research, identified green tourism development as the trajectory toward sustainable growth, particularly in the context of escalating climate change and its adverse impacts on tourism.

To imbue Vietnamese tourism with a green ethos, Dr. Tuan advocated for the respectful and protective management of natural and cultural tourism resources. This involves leveraging the pristine nature of natural landscapes and national cultural heritages, fostering diverse forms of eco-tourism, community tourism, agricultural countryside tourism, historical and cultural discovery-experience, and medical tourism. Moreover, the development of quality tourism intertwined with social responsibility, especially in challenging areas, is imperative.

Mr. Nguyen Le Phuc outlined three fundamental components for green tourism development. Firstly, green tourism management necessitates the establishment of institutions, policies, strategies, and plans dedicated to green tourism development. Additionally, the development of green tourism products and services is crucial, with a focus on businesses utilizing resources to create environmentally conscious offerings. Lastly, green tourism consumption is pivotal, with tourists deliberately selecting green products and services and destinations while bearing responsibility for resource and environmental preservation during their travels.

The trajectory of green tourism and sustainable growth is a vital trend at the international, regional, and national levels. It constitutes a foundational principle for tourism development, spanning from conceptual plans and strategies to practical implementations. These steps collectively represent a commitment to sustainable tourism development, innovative resource utilization, and the conservation and enhancement of resources.

By Giang Tu, Vietnam Business Forum