The IMA Green project (or IMA Verde project)

Since 2017, IMAGE Travel has been audited and certified biennially by Travelife, one of the leading international organizations for sustainable tourism based in the Netherlands. Building on this platform, all our operations and management strictly adhere to the clear criteria established by Travelife for responsible tourism.

In 2022, IMAGE Travel launched the IMA Green project. This initiative focuses primarily on environmental sustainability, starting with seven key objectives that guide staff activities, promote the development of eco-friendly tourism products, and encourage travelers to participate in nature conservation.

The IMA Green project is part of IMAGE Travel’s overarching strategy to achieve comprehensive sustainability across all aspects, including environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

Table of Contents

100% of IMAGE Travel’s tours encourage the use of trains instead of airplanes

For tours in Vietnam designed for international tourists, the advisory team at IMAGE Travel promotes the use of trains over planes or private vehicles for long-distance journeys. Traveling by train not only helps protect the environment but also provides a unique, leisurely, and charming experience.

During the journey, travelers can admire the stunning natural landscapes along the route and engage in conversations with locals. This offers them a more authentic and vibrant immersion into Vietnamese culture

Use of large water bottles instead of disposable bottles

Since 2020, IMAGE Travel has been researching and promoting the use of 20-liter water jugs in tourist vehicles, allowing travelers to serve themselves instead of distributing two 500ml plastic bottles per day to each tourist.

This solution has not only significantly reduced plastic waste generated during trips but also raised environmental awareness among both tourists and the tour organizing team. However, implementation has not been easy, as IMAGE Travel has faced the challenge of changing the entrenched habits of drivers and tourists, particularly given Vietnam’s characteristic heat.

big water bottle

As part of the IMA Green Project, and following successful trials, IMAGE Travel is expected to distribute 100 thermal bags for large water jugs to its vehicle operator partners by early 2025. This step is seen as a key push to promote a greener routine across IMAGE’s entire transportation system. Additionally, this initiative will help create a positive image and inspire other travel agencies in Vietnam to join efforts in protecting the environment

Organization of waste collection events for environmental protection

Each year, IMAGE Travel organizes waste collection activities in popular tourist destinations, not only for the company’s employees but also as part of corporate trips for local tourists. While these activities cannot completely clean the environment, they play a vital role in raising awareness about environmental protection among both locals and tourists. This initiative provides an opportunity for everyone to contribute to positive change and spread the message of shared responsibility in preserving the natural beauty and sustainability of tourist destinations.

IMAGE Travel has organized cleanup events in the Mekong River, Ha Long Bay, Vĩnh Hy Bay, and Hồ Tràm Beach. Additionally, it regularly sponsors the Green Vietnam organization in the nationwide “Clean up Vietnam” campaign.

Promoting green tours, planting trees, and creating forests to neutralize carbon

IMAGE Travel continues its efforts to neutralize carbon emissions generated by tourism activities through reforestation programs in areas requiring ecological restoration. This is part of the company’s long-term strategy to reduce environmental impact and protect ecosystems.

Notable initiatives include the tree-planting project led by company employees in Phi Liêng, which marked the launch of the IMA Green Project, as well as reforestation programs in Đăk Nông and participation in the campaign organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (CCIFV).

Alongside its internal environmental protection activities, IMAGE Travel also continues to promote and offer eco-friendly, nature-based tours for its clients. Among these, tree-planting tours have become a unique experience for groups and companies that wish to combine tourism with a meaningful impact. By participating in these tours, travelers not only plant trees in reforestation areas but also learn more about the essential role forests play in climate balance and environmental protection.

Digitalization in business management

IMAGE Travel is driving the implementation of a digitalization project in management with the goal of optimizing work processes and reducing the negative environmental impact. The company has transitioned from using paper documents to online platforms, enabling more efficient information management, saving time, and significantly reducing the amount of printed paper.

According to the plan, by early 2025, IMAGE Travel’s department specializing in tailor-made tours will officially adopt an online program system. Instead of sending PDF files for clients to print, the company encourages clients to access a link to view information about tours and prices. Additionally, in 2024, IMAGE Travel is transitioning traditional paper evaluation forms into a QR code-based system, allowing clients to complete online evaluations easily and conveniently. This is a significant step towards a modern yet sustainable approach within the IMA Green Project.

Developing a set of plastic-free OCOP gifts

With the aim of promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle and honoring local cultural values, IMAGE Travel selects and gifts meaningful OCOP products to its clients during their trips, including:

Southern Vietnam Traditional Towel (Khăn rằn Nam Bộ): A unique cultural symbol of southern Vietnam and Cambodia. This is not only a traditional item with deep cultural identity but also an eco-friendly handcrafted product that carries the history of life and people from this region.
Bamboo Bottle: A sustainable solution that replaces single-use plastic products, being practical and demonstrating creativity in the use of natural materials, contributing to environmental protection.
Lacquer Paintings: A handcrafted masterpiece that reflects Vietnamese art, combining sophistication and creativity to highlight the traditional beauty and rich culture of Vietnam.

These gifts are not only a token of appreciation for tourists but also a bridge to spread the message of an eco-friendly lifestyle and a love for Vietnamese culture.

Eliminating elephant riding and animal abuse

The Central Highlands of Vietnam has long been known as a pristine land, associated with the image of the elephant, a symbol of the culture and life of the region. In the past, elephant riding was a popular tourist activity that helped promote tourism in the Central Highlands.

However, with the shift in awareness regarding environmental and wildlife protection, especially influenced by international tourists, many travel agencies in Vietnam, with IMAGE Travel being one of the pioneers, have strongly removed elephant riding from their product offerings.

This is a strategic step in IMAGE Travel’s commitment to responsible tourism and wildlife protection. Instead of elephant riding, the company encourages tourists to participate in more meaningful activities, such as visiting and learning about the lives of elephants in their natural habitat, bathing with them, and taking walks, all under the supervision and care of conservation centers.

This decision not only helps protect elephants from the harm caused by tourist exploitation but also raises tourists’ awareness of the importance of respecting and conserving animals. IMAGE Travel aims to convey a powerful message about sustainable tourism, where every trip not only provides unforgettable experiences but also contributes to the mission of protecting nature and wildlife, creating a greener future for tourist destinations.

Our final words,

We believe that sustainable development is not limited to immediate changes but is a long-term process aimed at changing awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility within the tourism community and society. With a clear strategy and strong determination, IMAGE Travel aims to create a balanced tourism ecosystem, where activities not only provide valuable experiences but also contribute to environmental protection and the preservation of the planet’s natural beauty.

Tags: IMA Green Project, @imagreenproject

Phuong Ha – Dang Khoa