Advancing Tourism and Hospitality (T/H) marketing knowledge on social media to promote green practices.

Green cities
13.10.2023
The Advanced Green Marketing Training was organized by the Waste to Value project in collaboration with Aleph Laos at the Academy Hotel in Vang Vieng on October 13, 2023. Aleph is the official representative of Meta in Laos, which includes Facebook. The half-day training was chaired by Mr. Bountai Sipaserd, Deputy Head of the Vang Vieng Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DoNRE). 23 representatives from Vang Vieng's Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as well as government partners (the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Provincial and District Offices of Natural Resources and Environment), attended the training. The training program was developed and led by trainers from the Aleph Laos team, along with an industry trainer, Mr. Catter, from the Riverside Boutique Hotel. 

The primary objective of this training was to significantly enhance the knowledge and skills of SMEs in optimizing online marketing techniques and advertising formats, and to equip them with the ability to effectively analyze marketing content for their business. This knowledge aimed to empower SMEs to establish a distinctive competitive edge for their businesses by effectively promoting their green business practices. Participants were particularly enthusiastic about learning how to create compelling green marketing content and effectively promote their products and services through online marketing advertisements, reducing their reliance on intermediaries and reaching a broader audience. 

 

The training also emphasized the importance of harnessing the potential of social media platforms for green marketing and sustainability advocacy. Attendees learned how to leverage the power of social media to engage with eco-conscious consumers, build a loyal customer base, and communicate their commitment to environmentally responsible practices. The practical aspect of the training involved hands-on exercises and showcasing local and regional best practices; enabling SMEs to develop and implement effective social media marketing strategies.

The module and training developed by Aleph Laos provided a platform for T/H SMEs gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively harness the local digital landscape for promoting green initiatives. This interest from the participants in doing more green business practices so they can promote them to their customers marked a crucial step toward a greener and more environmentally responsible business landscape in Vang Vieng and, hopefully, beyond.  

 

The Waste to Value project is financed by the Canton Basel-City, City of Zurich and Däster-Schild Foundation, among other donors. The project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. 

2021 - 2024
Laos
Green cities
Waste to Value
Swisscontact's Waste to Value project strengthens the environmental performance in service sector SMEs (hotels, restaurants, cafés and mini-marts) by improving their waste management practices and access to green products. The project further strengthens business operations and improves workplace safety for informal waste pickers increasing their income and quality of livelihood. This is complemented with awareness raising among service sector SMEs and the wider population along with encouraging public-private consultation meetings in the Lao PDR in line with national and municipal government strategies.