Circular economy – the direction of sustainable tourism development in Hanoi

Hanoi has implemented a smoke-free tourism model at 30 tourist attractions and historical and cultural relics in Hoan Kiem district such as Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Kieu Temple, Quan Su Pagoda, Ba Da Pagoda...

Exploiting and preserving tourism resources

Applying circular economy in sustainable tourism development aims to achieve a better balance between people, the environment and economic growth throughout the process of organizing tourism activities; limiting some problems related to overconsumption and depletion of resources that the tourism industry uses directly or indirectly. At the same time, this development direction will encourage the reuse and repair of recycled or reused products that serve tourism activities directly or indirectly to reduce waste to the environment and promote energy saving...

This is a suitable direction, prioritized to contribute to achieving Hanoi's economic growth target and ensuring sustainable development on the basis of taking advantage of the circular economic model. Developing a circular economy in general, and a circular economy in tourism in particular, not only brings benefits to Hanoi, but also benefits to the country and at the global level.

With great potential and advantages for tourism development, in recent years, localities and tourism businesses in Hanoi have proactively applied the circular economic model, applying clean production solutions to reduce waste generation, consumption of raw materials, energy and water, and save production costs. Circular economy has been applied in most specific areas of tourism, including: circular economy in agricultural and rural tourism; urban tourism, cultural tourism, culinary tourism; hotels and tourists...

The city also creates an environment for the development of a high-end sustainable network that applies knowledge-intensive technology, import-export activities, creates stable jobs and green jobs, promotes sustainable lifestyles, improves the quality of life; protects the environment, and ensures social security.

According to statistics from the Hanoi Department of Tourism, since 2019, Hanoi has implemented a smoke-free tourism model at 30 tourist attractions and historical and cultural relics in Hoan Kiem district such as Ngoc Son Temple, Ba Kieu Temple, Quan Su Pagoda, Ba Da Pagoda... These are destinations with many tourists, so they have quickly created an impression of a green - clean - beautiful - friendly and civilized Hanoi.

Besides, many tourist areas in Hanoi have used energy economically and efficiently, in accordance with the strategy, master plan on energy, energy security policy and environmental protection.

The model of tourism combined with ecological agriculture is developing strongly in Hanoi.

Despite initial results, the daily increase in plastic waste from tourism activities remains a concern. The phenomenon of “dumping trash wherever convenient” still exists at many tourist destinations in the city. Meanwhile, the treatment of solid waste during tourism activities in Hanoi is still ineffective.

On the other hand, high-quality human resources that meet the requirements of transitioning to circular economic development in Hanoi are still lacking and weak. The rate of workers who have not received specialized training is still high, and the labor structure is not suitable for practical requirements.

Perfecting institutions and policies on circular economy and tourism

In fact, the community’s awareness of the application of circular economy in tourism development is not high; the involvement of authorities in some districts is still not really drastic. Many tourism businesses in Hanoi are still hesitant to switch to circular business. Regulations on circular economy in tourism development have not been completed.

Hanoi has great potential for tourism development.

Therefore, to promote circular tourism development, the city first needs to perfect the circular economy institutions and policies in sustainable tourism development. Increase tax incentives for tourism businesses applying the circular economy model by imposing high taxes on non-renewable energy to attract manufacturers to use renewable products and energy.

Next, it is necessary to build a circular business model in tourism, develop sustainable tourism products and services based on circular economic principles, effectively use input resources, apply science and technology to production and business, especially waste treatment to regenerate new materials.

The circular business strategy in tourism in Hanoi city needs to stipulate a roadmap to replace products using environmentally hazardous materials with products using environmentally friendly fuels and materials, reusable products, extending the useful life of products, and using recycled materials or renewable resources to produce tourism products and services.

Adjust the energy planning in the City towards gradually reducing dependence on fossil fuel energy; control and selectively attract investment projects based on consideration of factors such as production scale, technology, environmental engineering and project implementation location.

To do this, the Hanoi Department of Tourism needs to promote its role in drafting plans to apply circular economy in tourism development; organizing the implementation of approved plans, programs, projects; informing, propagating, guiding, disseminating, educating, and monitoring implementation within its management scope. The Hanoi Tourism Association must be a support for businesses, a bridge between businesses and management agencies... contributing to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of its members.

At the same time, it is necessary to make full use of the development of technology, digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution to apply circular economy in sustainable tourism development in Hanoi. The city needs to have specific orientations on waste treatment technology; select advanced waste treatment technology suitable to Hanoi's reality; deploy and replicate models of effective use of technology in sustainable tourism development for localities in the city to study, unify and apply, and avoid wasteful investment.

Communication work in sustainable tourism development is also given top priority. Accordingly, it is necessary to focus on raising awareness among people, local authorities and tourism businesses in the circular direction; raising awareness among manufacturers and tourists about their responsibility for products throughout their life cycle. In addition, the City needs to actively organize training programs on circular economy in tourism development for tourism businesses and people in localities in the city. Support and attract talents of the City after studying, returning to work in the tourism sector of Hanoi.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/kinh-te-tuan-hoan-huong-phat-trien-du-lich-ben-vung-cua-ha-noi.html