Bắc giang
Reducing the carbon footprint in tourism activities
The carbon footprint in tourism is the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), emitted during a trip. This includes emissions from all activities, from transportation, food and beverage, lodging, and entertainment.
Although tourism is called a green and smokeless industry, it still accounts for a fairly large proportion of emissions. The industry is projected to emit 6.5 billion tons of carbon emissions by 2025, about 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Aviation is the largest contributor, with 25% of tourism’s carbon footprint.
 |
|
Most tourists today, especially the youth, are not only interested in experiencing, exploring, and enjoying their trip, but they also want to contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection. |
Given the situation, controlling carbon emissions and reducing the tourism industry's carbon footprint becomes an urgent task.
Dr Vo Tri Thanh, former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said that tourism should be first and foremost among the areas to be the focus of the green transition in Vietnam because it directly serves people.
The green transition also plays a decisive factor in increasing the tourism sector’s competition and national image.
Most tourists today, especially the youth, are not only interested in experiencing, exploring, and enjoying their trip, but they also want to contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection.
According to a Booking.com survey in 2023, up to 97% of Vietnamese tourists wanted to travel more sustainably in the next year.
Data from the World Bank showed that in 2022, Vietnam's carbon footprint was about 344 million tonnes of CO2/year, ranking as the 17th largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions globally, surpassing many other countries in the region.
Therefore, reducing the carbon footprint in tourism will also significantly contribute to improving Vietnam's carbon footprint on the world map.
According to experts, determining the carbon footprint is an important task that the tourism industry needs to prioritise to develop Net Zero tourism - a goal to reduce carbon emissions to a level that can be absorbed by nature and other methods, leaving zero in the atmosphere.
However, it’s difficult to determine the tourism industry's carbon footprint because it is a comprehensive economic sector with many activities such as food and beverage, accommodation, and transportation, making it difficult to identify emission sources and inventory greenhouse gases.
The tourism industry needs to develop a set of emission reduction criteria for businesses to control and design appropriate strategies. Based on the set of criteria, relevant agencies can measure emission levels in businesses' tourism activities while identifying areas that need improvement.
At the same time, it is necessary to foster green transition in every component of tourism. This process requires the participation of all parties, especially tourists, businesses, and local communities, as well as specific and practical policies from the Government.
Air travellers are recommended to reduce overall flight carbon emissions by reducing their luggage weight, choosing direct flights over connecting flights, and using electronic air tickets.
Once arriving at the destination, tourists should choose environmentally friendly accommodations, walk or cycle whenever possible, and say no to plastic straws and plastic souvenir bags when shopping locally during their trip.
Practising such small things is a practical way to reduce carbon emissions, thus contributing to protecting our living environment.
The northern province of Bac Giang has set its sights on developing rural tourism to leverage its agricultural potential, traditional crafts, cultural heritage, and natural landscapes, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Mai Son has said.
Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy pho made and served by robots at the Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival, which is scheduled to take place from November 29 to December 1 at Thong Nhat Park.
Vietnam has been honoured as Asia's Best Golf Destination at the World Golf Awards 2024, marking the eighth time the country has earned the title.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam's largest island located off the coast of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, has been named the world’s leading nature island destination at this year’s World Travel Awards.
The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) recently welcomed 400 Chinese tourists entering Vietnam through the Lao Cai International Border Gate on the first charter train under a cooperation program between the Lao Cai Department of Tourism and VNR.
BAC GIANG – With its unique and distinctive characteristics, the Then singing and Tinh (a traditional stringed instrument) performances of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups in Bac Giang have been carefully preserved and promoted. The province aims to transform Then heritage into a tourism product at community-based tourism sites to serve domestic and international visitors.
Reader's comments (0)