Alongside the Net Zero target, the trend of adopting ESG criteria is gaining traction among businesses. In the travel industry, ESG practices focus on three main pillars: Environmental, Social, and Governance. Environmental practices aim to optimize natural resource use and minimize negative environmental impacts. Social initiatives ensure social equity, respect for local cultures, job creation, and community development. Governance establishes transparent management systems, compliance with laws and business ethics.
FROM THE WORLD TO VIETNAM
In South Korea, destinations like Busan have embraced sustainability standards related to ESG. “Busan has recently adopted ESG standards, which we are integrating into our tourism promotion plans. We strive to adhere to these standards in all aspects, from creating eco-friendly tourism products to offering carbon-neutral trips and promoting eco-tourism,” said Moon Young Bae, Head of Global Marketing at the Busan Tourism Organization.
According to a 2023 report by the ESG Laboratory of Moscow State University (MGU), developing tourism based on ESG principles is widespread in Russia. This approach is evident in major tourist cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow, as well as less-visited regions like Murmansk and Tatarstan. The report indicates that half of the surveyed Russian tourism entities aim to develop ESG characteristics.
“Internationally, we see consumers starting to differentiate between travel agencies or hotel services that operate with an ESG orientation. Hence, it is crucial for a destination, from large corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises, to engage more in ESG activities, as tourism and accommodation are almost the foundation of the local economy,” said Professor Ismail Erturk of the University of Manchester (UoM).
Recognizing the global demand for responsibility and sustainability, many Vietnamese tourism businesses are also orienting their strategies toward sustainable development. As the first state-owned enterprise to receive the Travelife Partner certification for sustainable tourism development, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luu, General Director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, shared that sustainable development is not just a slogan but the core, vision, and value of the company.
Similarly, Vietluxtour has implemented an ESG commitment program, encouraging corporate clients to organize ESG activities during their tours, such as tree-planting, environmental cleaning, and charitable initiatives. Dat Viet Tour is also developing products aligned with the green tourism trend, offering eco-tourism experiences that combine customer experiences with environmental protection practices, including no littering, reduced plastic use, and trash collection at visited sites.
In the hospitality sector, Thien Minh Group (TMG) has been awarded the Travelife Gold certification for its hotels and resorts in Vietnam and Laos, recognizing their commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. At TUI Blue Nam Hoi An, a joint venture between Thien Minh Group and TUI Group, ESG has become an indispensable criterion in their operations. According to Mr. Anton Bespalov, General Manager of TUI Blue Nam Hoi An, while ESG practices incur additional costs, they create long-term advantages, especially with the rise of green and community-based tourism.
This article was published in the Vietnam Economic Magazine, Issue 38-2024, released on September 16, 2024. To read the full article, please visit: https://postenp.phaha.vn/chi-tiet-toa-soan/tap-chi-kinh-te-viet-nama>
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