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RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
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greener and cleaner is highest among the higher-end hotels.
“In my opinion, there are not many hotels and resorts
in Vietnam which have got long-term plans for developing
responsible or green tourism. Almost all are focusing on the
benefits for themselves and they do not have regular green
events,” Le Phuong Nhi, manager of Indochina Sails, said.
According to Le Van Quang, marketing manager of VS-
pirit Cruises, responsible tourism in Vietnam is not as good as
many would like to think. He says though there is much inter-
est in responsible tourism, actions are sporadic.
“Due to the unhealthy competition in business,
most firms take their own action without any
cooperation or system to create a strength in
numbers,” he said.
There are many great examples of compa-
nies developing initiatives to respond to sus-
tainability issues; however, the economic crises
and global uncertainty are creating pressure to
focus on short-term concerns at the cost of a
long-term approach to company success.
One hotel chain which is putting effort
into responsibility is JW Marriott. Before the
opening of the JW Marriott in Hanoi, the hotel
partnered with the Hold the Future centre con-
tributing to the well-being over 450 disabled youths who are
learning to become craftspeople.
“We have also participated in other events such as clean-
ing the Hold the Future centre and blood donations. Besides
that, with over 500 associates working with us since opening,
we have created a great and safe environment for the local
community to work in. These activities bring us closer to our
local community and we hope that we will have more oppor-
tunities to contribute our efforts in the near future,” said Bob
Fabiano, general manager of the hotel.
CapitaLand has always been mindful of conserving the nat-
ural environment. Over the years, many of its commercial, retail
and residential properties have won local and foreign awards
for their quality and environment-friendly designs and features.
Accor is a leading hospitality group, also known for its
commitment to the development of the local community and
environment. With more than 20 years in Vietnam, Accor has
conducted many philanthropic activities in the country. At
present, Accor is implementing a new sustainable develop-
ment strategy: PLANET 21, which refers to the Agenda 21, the
action plan adopted by 173 Heads of State at the 1992 Earth
Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It also echoes the urgent need to
focus efforts in the 21st century to change our production and
consumption patterns with the goal of protecting our planet,
its people and their environment.
“We build a solid plan for more periodical responsible
tourism activities (monthly or quarterly) so that there will be
more opportunities for the business to reach out to the local
community,” said Jean-Paul Fontenille, general manager of
Novotel Danang Premier Han River.
“In Vietnam, environmentally friendly practices are be-
coming popular and it seems to be the
new trend,” said Nguyen Duc Quynh at
Furama Resort Danang.
There are more and more hotels
and resorts that are aware of the im-
portance of a green environment and
consider environmental friendliness to
be the factor that connects closely with
sustainable development.
For cruise outfits operating in the
World Natural Heritage site of Halong
Bay, keeping Halong clean is imperative.
“All our crew and staff know it is
their mission to keep the green environ-
ment of Halong Bay. Recently, Indochina
Sails organised a green event to repair the school at Cua Van
fishing village and collect the rubbish around the area. We
plan this as an annual event,” said Le Phuong Nhi.
Many resorts are implementing initiatives to save electric-
ity and water among guests and staff, with the use of water-
saving taps, electricity-saving lights, and rainwater tanks. In
every guestroom, they leave cards gently reminding guests
about turning off switches and not changing linen and towels
if it’s not necessary.
Many are operating a recycling program and treating all
used water so it can be used for watering gardens. This helps
reduce the amount of water used and contributes to the
protection of the environment. The use of recycled paper is
another common initiative.
In Vietnam,
environmentally
friendly practices are
becoming popular
and it seems to be
the new trend