Plastic waste threatens the future of the hotel industry

Silk Sense Hoi An River Resort is a pioneering enterprise in Quang Nam announcing that it is a resort with no plastic waste and no single-use plastic items.

No single-use plastic 
 
Owner of this resort has set specific criteria and solutions for each waste problem and applied them synchronously, ensuring the complete elimination of plastic waste. The Vietnam Tourism Association also uses this model to evaluate its member hotels, with the goal of applying it to the entire tourism sector.

Faced with the plastic waste problem, the tourism industry in many localities is also responding to the trend of saying no to single-use plastic items. For example, after a year of testing and bringing many positive results for the ecosystem, Co To Island District, Quang Ninh Province, has asked tourists not to bring nylon bags and single-use plastic items.

Or recently, when tourists come to the wharf to travel to the islands in Nha Trang Bay, they are not allowed to bring disposable plastic products. The Nha Trang Bay Management Board said this is one of the solutions to improve the effectiveness of environmental protection and biodiversity in Nha Trang Bay.
 
In fact, this is an ongoing trend in many countries around the world to repel plastic waste that is destroying the environment. Along with many countries around the world, Vietnam has committed to taking strong action to reduce plastic waste.

Accordingly, from January 1, 2026, Vietnam will not produce or import non-biodegradable nylon bags with dimensions smaller than 50 x 50 cm. After December 31, 2030, the government requires stopping the production and import of single-use plastic products, plastic packaging that is difficult to biodegrade, and products and goods containing microplastics.

Vietnam's tourism industry is addressing its environmental sustainability commitments due to its high plastic waste rate and low environmental sustainability index, with the country's largest plastic waste source being 3.1 million tons per year and dumping into the ocean being 0.28–0.73 million tons per year.

Vietnam welcomed 8.9 million international visitors in the first nine months of this year. Although the tourism industry is recovering from the post-pandemic recession, it also faces risks: foreign tourists are often concerned about the poor quality of service and experience they receive during their visit to Vietnam, causing a low tourist retention rate. More and more travelers are choosing their next destination where they can enjoy green experiences—events or emotions shaped by environmentally friendly activities.

Green tourism is on the rise
 
The UN Environment Program reports that 13 million tons of plastic are discarded into the ocean annually, prompting a rise in eco-conscious tourists. Green tourism, promoting eco-friendly travel, is gaining popularity, with 82% of the EU population willing to change habits for sustainability.

Foreign tourists are increasingly interested in sustainability, and Dr. Jung Woo Han from RMIT Vietnam believes that green tourism experiences could impact the Vietnamese hotel industry. A research team from RMIT University demonstrates the benefits of a sustainable tourism experience, as it improves productivity and customer satisfaction. The hospitality industry, where travelers and staff share common spaces, benefits from such experiences.

RMIT experts believe that greening the hotel sector in Vietnam is not only a strategic decision in business and macro decisions but also a must in terms of whether we can save the world. future generations from catastrophic floods and climate change. Contributing up to 5% of CO2 emissions, the hotel industry must take responsibility for taking appropriate measures to prevent global warming and climate change.
 
The hospitality industry is embracing greener practices, with many hotel leaders prioritizing green experiences, staying ahead of competitors, and enhancing brand image. The increasing popularity of single-use plastic is a positive sign of this trend. 

“We believe that big change always starts with the smallest actions. We call on everyone to contribute to protecting the environment, hoping that there will come a time when they will not need to use convenient plastic items in dining parties with relatives and friends", Mr. Guillermo Pantoja, General Director of Meliá Hanoi, shared.