Quang Nam: Launching a Plastic-Free Hotel Model

On the morning of September 9th, in Hoi An City, Quang Nam province, the “Zero Plastic Waste Hotel” model was launched for the first time, aiming to eliminate plastic waste from the environment and ensure that tourists no longer use single-use plastic items.

According to Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, with funding from the Global Environment Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/GEF-SGP), the Vietnam Tourism Association is actively implementing the project “Reducing Plastic Waste in Vietnam’s Tourism Sector,” which will be carried out over two years, 2023-2024. The project aims to promote activities to reduce plastic waste in the tourism sector, contributing to environmental protection and the sustainable development of the tourism industry.

The project will also focus on raising awareness among all levels of government, sectors, businesses, residents, and tourists about the harmful effects of plastic waste and the sense of responsibility in reducing plastic waste. It will also pilot solutions and initiatives to reduce plastic waste at several hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tourist destinations in Ninh Binh and Quang Nam provinces.

A key component of this project will be the development and pilot application of criteria for recognizing tourism businesses as plastic-free, contributing to the widespread adoption of plastic waste reduction practices by businesses.

“The Vietnam Tourism Association hopes that through the activities of the project “Reducing Plastic Waste in Vietnam’s Tourism Sector,” it can send a strong message, calling for the efforts and contributions of people, businesses, communities, and tourists towards the goal of: Plastic-Free Tourism in Vietnam,” shared the President of the Vietnam Tourism Association.

According to Mr. Binh, the application of the “Plastic-Free Hotel” model by Hoi An City is a concrete action with great significance in creating a ripple effect among the tourism business community, not only in Hoi An but throughout the country, regarding the determination to implement sustainable tourism development in Vietnam.

Mr. Tran Thai Do, the investor of Silk Sense Resort, said that with a sustainable development orientation, Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort has pursued an “environmental protection journey” from the very beginning of construction to the present day, by using environmentally friendly materials such as AAC autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) bricks to build the entire project.

Furthermore, the resort utilizes a central inverter air conditioning system and hot water production. From the mineral salt swimming pool and Kangen water bottles to the organic vegetable garden supporting guests’ health, even the smallest personal items in each room use only environmentally friendly materials… ensuring no impact on the environment and, more broadly, the ozone layer.

“Currently, we have drastically reduced plastic waste, so the resort no longer releases plastic waste into the environment and no longer uses single-use plastic items. We believe that demonstrating social responsibility and creating a sustainable business model not only attracts responsible tourists but also contributes to building a green brand for Vietnam’s tourism industry,” shared the investor of Silk Sense Resort.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam province, said: “This is the first resort to pioneer a zero-plastic waste model and a practical action in concretizing the Green Tourism Criteria. At the same time, this is also a pilot model for tourism businesses in general, as well as resorts and hotels in the area, to orient their tourism products and develop green tourism in line with the province’s development orientation.”

“In 2023, together with the Quang Nam Tourism Association, we will continue to promote and encourage all businesses to participate in implementing the Green Tourism Criteria. This year, 20 businesses have registered to implement the Green Tourism Criteria. At the end of this year, there will be inspections and evaluations to further recognize businesses that have met the Green Tourism Criteria,” Mr. Hong said.

Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/quang-nam-ra-mat-mo-hinh-khach-san-khong-rac-thai-nhua-362983.html