Vietmark is executing a plan to add environmental cleanup to tours the team-building company arranges for groups of domestic and foreign travelers. 

Guests of a tour organized by Vietmark take part in cleaning up a beach

Do Tuan Anh, director of Vietmark, said told the Daily that the purpose of the plan is to encourage guests of the HCMC-headquartered company to take part in environmental protection in destinations they will visit, especially beaches.

Under the plan, guests can choose whether they want to join efforts of local authorities and people to collect plastic bags, glass bottles, drinking straws and other throw-away items that do not break down.

It is positive that some groups of guests have participated in the environmental cleanup drive. Anh said many participants of tours organized by Vietmark have spent time collecting nondegradable items on beaches of central provinces and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

At first locals just looked at what guests of Vietmark were doing with the environmental cleanup but later they rolled up their sleeves to join, Anh said.

Anh with 30 years of experience in tourism said visitors can play a part in keeping tourist destinations clean and raising local people’s awareness of protecting the environment.

Anh noted not only local people but also visitors should be encouraged to pay attention to environmental protection because a number of domestic travelers still have a habit of throwing away what they have used, especially plastic bags and bottles, into the environment.    

So far, a number of coastal localities, including Binh Thuan and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces, have been very active in cleaning up and protecting their beaches, as they know these spots help them attract new and repeat travelers, particularly foreigners, according to Anh. He said foreign tourists will not return to places where there is littering.

Anh underscored the importance of putting on regular activities aimed at raising awareness of keeping tourist areas clean if Vietnam wants to welcome more international visitors. This requires concerted efforts of authorities, companies, locals and visitors like participation of many people needed for a team-building activity.

Vietnam attracted a record high of some 13 million international visitors in 2017, up 28% year-on-year. The target for 2020 is 17-20 million.

SGT