Nguyen Thi Hoai An, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, speaks at the launch ceremony. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre
On Friday morning, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam (ST4SD) project, unveiled Da Nang Green Stay, a set of green tourism accommodation criteria, under the message 'Developing Green Destinations - Elevating Vietnamese Tourism.'
According to authorities, the criteria were developed with reference to Switzerland's Swisstainable model, while building on the former Quang Nam Green Tourism Criteria in central Vietnam and consolidating three sets of criteria previously applied to tourism accommodation providers.
The criteria also draw on standards from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and have been adapted to Da Nang's local conditions.
The development process involved input from government departments and agencies, the Da Nang Tourism Association, the Da Nang Hotel Association, experts and accommodation providers to ensure the criteria are scientifically sound, practical and easy to implement.
On August 14, the criteria were officially approved by the chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee under Decision No. 3630/QD-UBND.
The Da Nang Green Stay criteria comprise 219 criteria across nine groups: environment; human resources and training; green procurement; maintenance; housekeeping and laundry; gardening; kitchen and restaurant operations; experiences, cultural promotion and local businesses; and sustainable events.
Representatives of participating organizations attend the launch ceremony. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre
The criteria are divided into three voluntary levels based on the size and capacity of each accommodation provider.
Level 1 includes 54 criteria for businesses that are just beginning to adopt green practices, while Level 2 includes 124 criteria for establishments that already have a foundation in green practices.
Level 3 covers all 219 criteria and is aimed at businesses leading in sustainable development.
Voluntarily adopting Da Nang Green Stay can help accommodation providers streamline operations, save electricity and water, reduce waste, improve service quality and brand image, and attract more travelers interested in responsible tourism.
The criteria are intended to help establish Da Nang as a greener, high-quality and sustainable destination.
To put the criteria into practice, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will work with the ST4SD project from September to December to organize workshops, training sessions and in-depth practical guidance.
The department will also provide handbooks, infographics, videos and other materials to help businesses assess their own practices, register for the program and gradually upgrade their green operations.
At the launch ceremony, representatives of the Da Nang Hotel Association and accommodation providers ranging from five-star resorts and three- to four-star hotels to homestays and villas signed commitments to support the initiative.
The event marked the start of efforts to expand green practices across the accommodation sector and help turn the message 'Developing Green Destinations - Elevating Vietnamese Tourism' into reality.
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