High-Level Tourism Forum “Shaping the Future of the Tourism Industry: Towards Digital and Green Transformation”
The Importance of Digital Transformation and Green Transformation
In the era of technology and climate change, the global tourism industry faces an urgent need to innovate and adapt. The two strategic pillars highlighted by the Forum are digital transformation and green transformation.
- Digital transformation not only enhances management efficiency but also offers personalized travel experiences and optimizes data-driven decision-making, thereby increasing the competitiveness of national tourism.
- Green transformation is a global trend, demonstrating the tourism industry’s responsibility towards the environment and society. In Vietnam, this trend also contributes to realizing the commitment to achieve Net-Zero by 2050, as stated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP26.
Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, affirmed, “The Forum is an opportunity for stakeholders to interact, exchange experiences, and propose creative ideas to build a sustainable, smart tourism future.”
The Forum included two main discussion sessions, delving into each aspect of the topic:
Session 1: Overview of the Role of Digital Transformation and Green Transformation
- Mr. Harry Hwang, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), shared in-depth perspectives on trends in digital and green transformation in international tourism.
- Ms. Natalie Kidd, Regional Managing Director for Asia at Intrepid Travel Group, emphasized empowering communities through responsible innovation.
- Mr. Olivier Ponti, Director of Data and Marketing at ForwardKeys, analyzed data on traveler behavior and provided important forecasts for the industry.
Session 2: Discussing Solutions for Digital and Green Transformation
Moderated by Dr. Daniel Chong Ka Leong (Sunway University), this discussion session featured leading Vietnamese experts and managers such as Dr. Ha Van Sieu (Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Long (Vietnam National University, Hanoi). The speakers focused on practical solutions for applying digital and green transformation in tourism.
Government Commitment and Future Vision
Delivering a keynote speech at the Forum, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh affirmed: “Digital transformation and green transformation are not two separate paths, but two parallel pillars to build a modern, sustainable, and humane tourism industry.”
He expressed confidence that, with a shared vision and decisive action, Vietnamese tourism will become a leading destination in the region and worldwide. The Vietnamese government is committed to creating all favorable conditions for the business community, investors, and the public to proactively and effectively participate in this transformation process.
The 2025 High-Level Tourism Forum is not just a platform for knowledge exchange, but also a significant turning point, guiding the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tourism industry in the future.
