Tourism has long been one of the world’s largest economic sectors, playing an important role not only in promoting growth but also in creating jobs, promoting culture and connecting communities. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in 2024, there were more than 1.4 billion international arrivals – an increase of 11% compared to the previous year, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Asia- Pacific recorded 316 million arrivals, up 33%, reflecting the booming trend of tourism in the region.
On the positive side, tourism contributed about 11,100 billion USD to global GDP last year, accounting for 10% of the total GDP. According to the report of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), about 348 million people have jobs thanks to this industry - showing that this is one of the fields that create the largest job opportunities. For every 10 USD spent globally, up to 1 USD is spent on tourism, including airfare, hotels, food and related services.
However, behind that bright picture are the negative aspects that cannot be ignored. Tourism currently accounts for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, of which 40% comes from means of transport - especially aviation. On average, a tourist can throw away 1kg of waste per day, putting great pressure on the environment, especially at beaches and natural tourist attractions. In addition, wastewater from hotels and restaurants, if not properly treated, will lead to water pollution, while excessive tourism exploitation can commercialize culture, fade identity and even cause conflicts with indigenous communities.
Therefore, according to UNWTO, sustainable tourism does not stop at increasing quantity but must focus on good governance, strategic planning, close monitoring and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The concept of sustainable tourism is understood as: Conserving environmental resources and biodiversity; Respecting and preserving the culture of local communities; Meeting the needs of tourists and the tourism industry while bringing economic benefits to all.
Many countries have proven that tourism development does not mean trading off the environment. Bhutan is considered a model for its "high value, low impact" tourism policy: tourists pay $250/person/day to offset carbon and support the community. This approach helps the small Himalayan country maintain a clean environment while preserving its cultural identity.
In the Pacific island nation of Fiji, the “Loloma Hour” initiative encourages visitors to spend at least an hour contributing to the environment or local community – from replanting mangroves, cleaning up beaches, to learning how to make traditional crafts. All with one simple goal: to leave the island better off when they leave. Six Senses Fiji is a resort that pursues sustainable tourism by using 100% solar power with the world’s first Tesla battery system, managing rainwater, and filtering drinking water on-site to eliminate single-use plastics. In this case, sustainable tourism is responsible tourism.
Costa Rica, with its vast national parks and reserves, has turned nature into an “economic asset.” Ecotourism here not only helps preserve biodiversity but has also become a major source of income for the country. In Iceland, many companies encourage visitors to offset their own emissions by contributing to reforestation projects – creating a connection between visitors and nature. These models show that sustainable tourism is not a slogan but a viable strategy, with dual benefits for the economy and the environment.
In Vietnam, in recent years, a number of sustainable tourism models have been implemented and initially recorded success. In Sa Pa (Lao Cai) and Mai Chau ( Hoa Binh ), community tourism has become a bright spot. Tourists can stay at local homes, participate in cooking, weaving, or experience traditional festivals. In the Mekong Delta, many localities are strongly exploiting eco-tourism: rowing boats to explore cajuput forests, visiting fruit gardens, learning about river life. This is not only an attractive experience but also a way to link economic development with biodiversity conservation, while creating sustainable livelihoods for local farmers.
However, the journey of “Green tourism” also faces many challenges. The biggest barrier is investment costs. Energy-saving equipment, wastewater treatment systems, or ecological materials all require significant capital. Another challenge is the cost of services of sustainable tourism models, which are often higher than mass tourism, while tourists sometimes do not fully realize the value that these models bring. Pressure from urbanization and unsustainable economic development, climate change and pollution are directly threatening the natural resources that are the foundation of Green tourism. The lack of policies and supporting resources also makes the development of sustainable tourism difficult.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once emphasized that tourism is a driving force for peace, prosperity and the connection between peoples, but is also under pressure from climate change, conflict and inequality. Sustainable development in this field means reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity, respecting culture and sharing economic benefits fairly with local communities. This is the way for tourism to truly serve people and the planet. And as affirmed by Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UNWTO, sustainable tourism is now not just a trend, but also a global responsibility.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/du-lich-ben-vung-khong-chi-la-xu-huong-ma-con-la-trach-nhiem-toan-cau-20250927073513494.htm
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