Reducing plastic waste in tourism for sustainable development

(To Quoc) - Tourism is considered a sector seriously affected by plastic waste pollution, but at the same time it is also a significant source of plastic waste. The active participation of the tourism industry in the goal of reducing plastic waste pollution is expected to be one of the important solutions that bring about multi-faceted results for the goal of sustainable development.

On January 21, the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) held a conference to conclude the project "Reducing plastic waste in Vietnam's tourism sector".

The project "Reducing plastic waste in Vietnam's tourism sector" is funded by the Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Program, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/GEF-SGP) and will be implemented in 2023-2024.

Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh spoke at the Conference.

Within the framework of the Project implementation, the Action Plan on plastic waste reduction in the tourism industry was developed and issued by the Vietnam Tourism Association as a basis for members of the Association to carry out plastic waste reduction activities, thereby contributing to achieving the goals set out in Decree 08/2022/ND-CP of the Government detailing a number of articles of the Law on Environmental Protection and the National Action Plan on ocean plastic waste management by 2030.

The action plan on plastic waste reduction in the tourism industry has 6 key tasks: (1) Propagating and raising awareness about plastic waste reduction; (2) Participating in the development, dissemination and monitoring of the implementation of policies and laws on plastic waste reduction in tourism; (3) Building and developing green, plastic waste-free tourism products; (4) Promoting tourism promotion activities associated with plastic waste reduction; (5) Training and fostering knowledge on plastic waste reduction for staff of the Association's member units; (6) Mobilizing international resources to promote plastic waste reduction.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh said that plastic waste is emerging as a challenge in the world as well as in Vietnam; it is a major environmental issue, affecting socio-economic development including the tourism sector. In the world, many countries have applied regulations on reducing plastic waste.

Tourism is considered a sector that is seriously affected by plastic waste pollution, but at the same time, it is also a significant source of plastic waste. The active participation of the global tourism industry in the goal of reducing plastic waste pollution is expected to be one of the important solutions that bring multi-faceted meaningful results to the Sustainable Development Goals.

In recent years, tourism has been a key industry that has made a significant contribution to Vietnam's socio-economic development. However, along with this development, tourism activities have also contributed to increasing the amount of waste released into the environment, especially plastic waste, and are also affected by plastic waste.

According to Mr. Vu The Binh, realizing the urgent need for environmental protection for sustainable development, the Vietnam Tourism Association, as a professional social organization of the tourism industry, has actively responded to all policies and guidelines of the state, taking strong actions to achieve the goal of reducing plastic waste in the tourism sector.

Since 2018, the Vietnam Tourism Association has launched the movement "Vietnam Tourism - Joining hands to reduce plastic waste" and has received response from tourism businesses nationwide. Many businesses and localities have achieved high results in reducing plastic waste.

Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy spoke.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy said that implementing the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister, the tourism industry has recently implemented many important tasks, gradually recovering the tourism industry after the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; accelerating the growth of Vietnam Tourism in new conditions and situations so that tourism can truly be a spearhead economic sector and develop sustainably.

To achieve that goal, in parallel with the process of promoting product development and improving domestic services, international integration on global issues, especially developing green tourism, minimizing emissions to actively contribute to protecting the planet, ensuring the quality of human living environment is of great concern.

Tourism is considered a sector that is seriously affected by plastic waste pollution, but at the same time it is also a significant source of plastic waste. The active participation of the tourism industry in the goal of reducing plastic waste pollution is expected to be one of the important solutions that bring about multi-faceted meaningful results for the goal of sustainable development.

Through the activities of the Project "Reducing plastic waste in the tourism sector", a strong message will be conveyed, calling for efforts and joint contributions from people, businesses, communities and tourists for the goal: Plastic waste-free tourism in Vietnam.

"The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is committed to always accompanying the Association and tourism businesses in the coming time to continue to more effectively implement the initial results achieved by the Project. At the same time, I also hope that the Tourism Association will continue to be proactive and closely coordinate with tourism management agencies in implementing these results to successfully achieve a higher level of dissemination than the set goals", Deputy Director Pham Van Thuy emphasized.

Conference scene.

During the two years of implementing the Project, the Vietnam Tourism Association has developed a set of communication documents on reducing plastic waste in the tourism sector; organized communication activities on reducing plastic waste in the tourism sector; issued a set of criteria for recognizing plastic waste-free tourism businesses; developed and operated applications to reduce plastic waste in the tourism industry; supported a number of products to replace single-use plastic items; and issued an Action Plan to reduce plastic waste in tourism.

Through survey and measurement of plastic waste reduction results of tourism businesses in 02 localities (28 businesses in Ninh Binh and 19 businesses in Hoi An), it shows that, along with raising awareness and knowledge about environmental protection and reducing plastic waste in the tourism sector through seminars/training programs, tourism service businesses in Ninh Binh province and Hoi An city, Quang Nam province have changed their behavior in reducing plastic waste by replacing single-use plastic products with reusable products and environmentally friendly products with the support of the Project.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/giam-thieu-rac-thai-nhua-trong-du-lich-de-phat-trien-ben-vung-20250121210051562.htm