Call to action for sustainable and responsible tourism

Within the framework of the 12th General Assembly of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia -Pacific Cities (TPO), on the afternoon of September 4, the Conference of Mayors of TPO member cities in 2025 took place in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung chaired the conference; also attending were Ms. Kang Da-eun, Secretary General of TPO and representatives of TPO member cities.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung said that the 2025 Conference of Mayors of TPO member cities is an important event in the journey of cooperation and development of regional and global tourism .

In the context of the world facing enormous and rapid changes, choosing the theme “Cross-border cooperation for smart tourism, greening the world” reflects the common vision of TPO.

“The theme of this year's conference is not only a strategic vision but also a call to action for TPO member cities to work together to build a modern, environmentally friendly tourism industry,” Mr. Nguyen Van Dung emphasized.

TPO members attend the opening ceremony. (Photo: Huu Duyen/VNA).

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, greening tourism is the only way for the tourism industry to develop sustainably. Green transformation is an urgent call to action for a sustainable and responsible tourism industry.

Tourism not only brings economic benefits, but is also associated with the conservation of natural resources, preservation of cultural identity and improvement of the quality of life for the community.

“We need to work together to develop and implement green tourism policies, promote eco-tourism and community-based tourism models, minimize environmental impacts and encourage tourists to practice responsible tourism. Applying environmentally friendly technology solutions in tourism activities will significantly contribute to the overall greening goal of all destinations,” the Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee stated.

At the conference, delegates from TPO member cities focused on discussing five key issues: building a cross-border cooperation framework for smart tourism; promoting green tourism through international cooperation; digital and green transformation strategy; economic and cultural connectivity through cross-border tourism; the role of mayors in shaping policies to support smart and green tourism in each locality, as well as cross-border cooperation with other cities in the network.

Through discussion, delegates said that applying environmentally friendly technological solutions in tourism activities will contribute significantly to the common greening goal of all destinations, however, no city can fully implement this process on its own.

Cross-border connectivity, data sharing and new technologies are key to helping cities thrive together. The TPO 2025 Mayors Conference is an opportunity for cities to lay the foundations for a TPO vision for 2030, towards a smart, green and prosperous tourism.

The conference also discussed to issue the Chairman's Statement of the TPO General Assembly with specific and practical initiatives, jointly implementing to bring efficiency to the future of the tourism industry associated with the theme of digital transformation and green transformation; providing strategic directions, breakthrough ideas, specific commitments, practical cooperation projects, feasible initiatives contributing to shaping the future of the regional and global tourism industry./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/keu-goi-hanh-dong-vi-nen-du-lich-ben-vung-va-co-trach-nhiem-post1059923.vnp