VITA’s Chairman Vu The Binh speaking at the seminar (Photo: TITC)

Speaking at the Seminar, VITA’s Chairman Vu The Binh said, facing the increasing threat of climate change on the global economic and social life, green growth has become the economic development orientation of many countries around the world.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen - Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Photo: TITC)

Regarding the tourism sector, from 2012, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and United Nations Environment Programme have announced a Tourism Development Report towards green growth; in which, highlighting 6 major challenges facing world tourism, the third challenge in the report is "Waste management and water quality".

Solving plastic pollution has long been an urgent issue worldwide in general and Vietnam in particular. Single-use plastic waste directly affects the quality of life, human health and other living things.

Overview of the Seminar (Photo: TITC)

Acknowledging the responsibility, VITA has actively responded to the programme to reduce plastic waste in the industry when encouraging tourism businesses to participate in many activities of collecting and treating plastic waste.

With the support of UNDP and the Global Environment Fund, VITA in collaboration with the Institute of Strategy, Natural Resources & Environment Policy, implemented a project to reduce plastic waste in the tourism sector in Vietnam.

Unsolved plastic waste pollution will affect the goal of sustainable tourism development, conservation and biodiversity, especially rare and precious species, to the beauty of the landscape and the environment and thereby affect the image, attractiveness and competitiveness of the tourism industry.

Mr. Phung Quang Thang, Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam Travel Association speaking at the seminar (Photo: TITC)

Introducing the project, Mr. Phung Quang Thang, Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam Travel Association stated, the overall objective of the project is to promote plastic waste reduction activities in the tourism sector; bare a shoulder to protect the environment and the development of tourism; in order to achieve the sustainable development goals of the tourism industry, contributing to the goal of sustainable economic development of the country.

The main aim is to raise the awareness of sectors, businesses, people and visitors about the reduction of plastic waste. Develop and apply solutions and initiatives to reduce plastic waste, which have been piloted in a number of restaurants and tourist accommodation establishments in the two provinces of Ninh Binh and Quang Nam. Simultaneously, develop and issue an action plan on reducing plastic waste in the tourism industry.

Mr. Vu Quoc Tri, Chief of the Office of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) speaking at the seminar (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Vu Quoc Tri, Chief of the Office of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said, as the state management agency in tourism, VNAT welcomes the support from UNDP in the implementation of a project to protect the environment and reduce plastic waste in Vietnam. It is believed that with the assistance of international experts, the participation of state, localities, businesses, community and visitors, plastic waste in the tourism sector will be successfully reduced.

On this occasion, VITA launches a contest to create a plastic waste management application for tourism businesses.

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