Lucerne:Vietnam and Switzerland have taken significant steps towards enhancing their collaboration in destination management and sustainable tourism development. On November 9, in Lucerne, Switzerland, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, led a Vietnamese delegation in a technical exchange with representatives from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), the Swiss Tourism Federation, Lucerne Tourism AG, and RigiPlus AG.

According to Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, the meeting was part of the Vietnam-Switzerland Bilateral Dialogue Programme on Sustainable Tourism Development. It included participation from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam, the ST4SD Project, and the Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism from Tuyen Quang, Da Nang, and Dong Thap.

Discussions during the meeting focused on various aspects of sustainable tourism development, including innovation and destination management, Switzerland's Swisstainable programme, and field visits to Vitznau and Rigi. Mr. Andreas Liebrich, Head of International Relations at HSLU, provided insights into the university's structure and operations, highlighting its role in degree and continuing education, research, and services.

Mr. Florian Eggli, Director of the Institute of Tourism and Mobility (ITM), shared the strategic orientation of the Institute, which focuses on tourism and transport ecosystems and aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications in the tourism sector.

Lucerne Tourism AG's Director, Mr. Marcel Perren, emphasized the city's approach to destination branding and management, illustrating how Lucerne manages visitor flows and maximizes its tourism potential throughout the year. The city's efforts include numerous international promotional activities and data-driven management to enhance tourism infrastructure.

Ms. Romy Bacher from the Swiss Tourism Federation introduced the Swisstainable programme, which provides a framework for sustainable tourism practices across various sectors within Switzerland's tourism industry. The programme is built on environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic sustainability, encouraging responsible travel choices among tourists.

The event also covered other topics such as overtourism, innovation, and tourism start-up initiatives, followed by field visits to sustainable tourism projects in Vitznau and Rigi.