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Hello ASTB friend! 

With the holiday season in the air, it’s time for all of us to pause to reflect on 2023 and rejuvenate for 2024. 

This is our last newsletter for 2023, and we will be back in action the week of January 8th, 2024. 

We want to leave you with some optimistic insights into where we are in the transition to the new climate economy. 

This week’s Feature Story sheds light on the pivotal sustainability-focused changes by pioneering travel companies like Travel Neutral Hospitality. 

The Nuggets of Wisdom section provides a broader perspective on the encouraging developments in the global shift towards clean energy. 

Our team wishes you and your loved ones a very happy holiday.

Navigating Sustainability in Vietnam's Hospitality & Travel Industry

Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by: vovgiaothong

As the sun dipped below the bustling skyline of Ho Chi Minh City, the tranquil elegance of Bach Suites Saigon cast a warm glow upon the eager faces of travel and hospitality professionals who had gathered for the ASTB Mixer.

The event was no ordinary mixer, but a confluence of ideas on sustainable travel. The excitement was palpable as industry experts and enthusiastic newcomers came together, each carrying an air of curiosity and a shared commitment toward sustainability.

This article unfolds the enlightening encounters and 6 key takeaways from an evening that proved to be more than just a casual meet-up but a harbinger of a sustainable future in Vietnam travel.

1. Balancing Luxury and Sustainability

How can luxury and sustainability coexist, especially in a culture where progress is often associated with abundance?

2. Harnessing the Power of Local Sourcing and Building Strong Supplier Relationships

One of the significant strategies that Travel Neutral Collective, the B2B travel management company Hugo Thanh Huynh co-founded, demonstrates its commitment to local sourcing.

They aim to retain at least 80% of tourism revenue within Vietnam, an initiative designed to prevent 'economic leakage'.

3. Cultivating an Inclusive and Respectful Work Environment

The hospitality sector is fast-paced and demanding. Despite this, Travel Neutral Hospitality strives to foster an inclusive work environment that values attitude over experience.

4. Implementing Low-Cost, High-Impact, and Replicable Solutions

At Bach Suites Saigon, they monitor their breakfast service closely, tracking occupancy levels and guest preferences to optimize its offering. This approach not only reduces overall waste but also ensures guests receive the service they want.

Another impactful change that Bach Suites Saigon has implemented is transitioning to a paperless operation.

5. Evaluating Sustainable Travel Packages: Affordability vs Fairness?

Offers such as $30 flight tickets embody the race to the bottom, making it impossible for companies to achieve zero carbon emissions within the next decade. Therefore, the emphasis should be on fairness and sustainability rather than merely focusing on price.

6.  Balancing Optimization and Customer Care

There are several ways to achieve optimization, ranging from simple initiatives like reducing food waste and improving lighting efficiency to more significant changes such as transitioning to renewable energy sources and adopting electric transportation fleets. Regardless of their scale, these changes can result in significant cost savings in the long run.

However, it requires the entire team's dedication and understanding of why these changes are necessary.

TED Explores: A New Climate Vision

If you’re reading this newsletter, chances are you’re a fan of TED Talks.

TED released a one-hour video to explore an optimistic and uplifting vision on what we can do collectively to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Here are the key highlights:

Addressing the Root Causes: Climate change stems from surging greenhouse gases, driven by the extensive fossil fuel use in energy and transportation.

Critical Annual Reduction: A 7% yearly cut in greenhouse gas pollution is imperative to combat climate change effectively.

Tipping Point Realization: We stand at a critical juncture that calls for rapid and profound transformation. Collaboration, infrastructure overhaul, and a mindset shift are paramount.

Revolutionary Shifts: By 2030, Electric Vehicles (EVs) will dominate the transportation industry, while solar energy, now the most cost-effective option, sees exponential growth.

Global South's Potential: The Global South, currently home to 3 billion using less electricity than a fridge and blessed with abundant sunshine, holds immense potential to become a world-leading solar energy powerhouse.

Support for Development: Financial backing is vital for developing nations, especially in the Global South, to unlock renewable energy potential and combat energy poverty.

Chile's Blueprint: Chile exemplifies how green energy investments drive global economic growth and collaboration.

Agricultural Revolution: The next revolution targets increased output without expanding farmland, focusing on biodiversity, water conservation, and pollution reduction.

Climate Action's Ripple Effect: Successful climate initiatives create economic opportunities for billions, fostering a world with clean and affordable energy for all.

You can view the complete video here.

When you're ready, there are two ways that we can help you:

1. Send your travel stories and news releases to [email protected] for coverage opportunities on Travel Asia Now. When you are ready to promote your brand, sponsored content or ads are always an option on the website.

2. If you're looking for support in your sustainability transition and/or communicating sustainability with your target audience, email the Sainha team at [email protected] 

→ The Sustainability Certification Program: Increase your sustainability credibility by gaining a globally-recognized sustainability certification.

→ Decode Asia: From clueless to marketing your brand with confidence to your target Asian travelers. Use our proven framework to unlock your growth opportunities in Asia.

→ Asia Accelerator: Level up your Asia-focused marketing. Accelerate your growth in Asia with forward planning including a one-day workshop for your team.

Or if you’d like to explore other collaboration ideas such as content collaboration, speaking engagement, or brand partnership etc., please email us at [email protected]