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BUSINESS REPORT



         Gradual in nature




         The move towards green development has not only become a global economic
         imperative but also a crucial aspect in the growth of Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality
         industry, with hotels steadily undertaking their own transformation e!orts.
         | By GIANG HOANG







               ince its arrival in Vietnam’s hospi-  has  had  a  noticeable  effect  in  reducing   and monitoring of electricity use throughout
               tality market, SOJO Hotels has been   environmental  waste  while  also  cutting   the  hotel  aim  to  bolster  staff  awareness
         S proactive in addressing diverse cus-  costs. Meliá also opts for glass bottles over   and the commitment to green initiatives,
         tomer needs, offering sustainable accom-  plastic  bottles,  and  refills  water  during   fostering sustainable development.
         modation  and  minimizing  any  environ-  guests’  stays  to  cut  waste  and  expense.   Vietnam saw a significant uptick in both
         mental impact. It was a pioneer in digital   Larger  containers  replace  shampoo  and   domestic  and  international  tourism  last
         transformation,  with  its  TNTech  Smart   shower gel bottles in rooms, while printed   year, with foreign visitors alone reaching
         Hotel Solution optimizing the guest expe-  materials  have  moved  from  plastic  and   an estimated 11.2 million in the first eleven
         rience  while  conserving  energy.  Features   nylon  to  paper  and  recycled  wheat  flour   months. Surpassing initial targets by more
         like  optical  character  recognition  (OCR)   products.  Room  appliances,  especially  in   than  85  per  cent,  the  tourism  industry
         facilitate seamless guest registration, while   bathrooms,  are  streamlined,  and  guests   showcased its robust recovery from Covid-
         ChatBot/AI  assists  customers  24/7.  And   decide when to change bedding and linen.   19,  most  notably  in  Hanoi  and  Ho  Chi
         Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with   Embracing technology to conserve water   Minh City, which experienced substantial
         automated sensor-controlled lights, curtains,   and electricity is another widespread practice   growth in room capacity and rates compared
         air conditioning, and TVs, helps cut energy   across Meliá properties. Ongoing training   to 2022. Ho Chi Minh City boasted 15,641
         consumption. SOJO Hotels also upgraded
         its server systems to reduce electricity use
         and curb its carbon dioxide emissions. With
         synchronized digital transformation across
         the chain, it achieved a 15 per cent reduction
         in energy consumption and a 10 per cent
         fall in carbon dioxide emissions compared
         to other hotels of similar scale.
           Mr. Tran Thai Do, the investor in Silk
         Sense Hoi An River Resort in central Quang
         Nam province’s famed Hoi An ancient town,
         said it has been committed to environmental
         protection  since  its  inception.  The  resort
         utilized  eco-friendly  materials  like  AAC
         non-fired  bricks  in  its  construction  and
         employs variable frequency central air con-
         ditioning and water heating systems. From
         mineral salt pools to Kangen water bottles
         and organic vegetable gardens, every aspect
         of the resort ensures minimal environmental
         impact,  including  ozone  layer  protection.
         By  drastically  reducing  plastic  waste,  the
         resort  has  created  a  sustainable  business
         model  that  attracts  responsible  travelers,
         contributing to Vietnam’s eco-tourism brand.
           Also participating in the green move-
         ment,  the  Meliá  hotel  chain  is  striving
         towards sustainability in all respects. Ms.
         Le Ho Xuan Huong, Customer Experience
         Manager and Head of the Lobby Depart-
         ment  at  Meliá  Hue,  spoke  of  the  hotel’s
         green  transformation.  It  follows  global
         green standards, substituting plastic straws
         with rice and paper straws. Many businesses
         are gradually phasing out plastic straws or
         providing them only upon request, which

         26  |  VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES  |  MARCH 2024                                                 en.vneconomy.vn
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