Green tourism is related with carrying out environmental responsibility since these activities can help to lower the ecological footprint. The involvement of ecological footprint includes the lifestyle use of daily products, for example shampoo bottles, paper, lighting, laundry, cooling and heating. Moreover, the consequences of plastic product should be taken seriously. (Penisi, 2010)
Malaysia has truly showed the significance of tourism in contributing to the nationwide economy and has been promoting ecotourism for these recent years. Malaysia is one of the top ranked travel destinations in south East Asia as a country possessing an endless range of attractions that ingratiate for the cosmopolitan shopper, cultural lover, historical lover and nature lover. Divided into Penisular Malaysia in the West Malaysia and east Malaysia, part of the Borneo island, the country will attract people with the modern city shopping experience, it is splendid culture and art, and rich natural heritage of flora and fauna. (Travel, 2018)
Green tourism is used to indicate tourism conducted in an environmentally friendly manner (Fuqan, et al., 2010; Anon., n.d.). The words ecotourism and sustainable tourism are used side by side with green tourism. The Australian ecotourism company defined ecotourism as ecologically sustainable tourism with sustainable development. It focuses on the natural field of understanding, application and protection of environment and culture.
Green tourism, a type of ecotourism, is green and environmental tourism focus on the protection of environment and the culture of a place. The United Nation has established a certain standard of ecotourism, but green tourism can cover wide range of criteria, from fully compatible environmental pressure below standard travel. There are many green travel opportunities available around the world has been increasing, which make the green tourism more desirable and in some area is necessary. It seems more sensible for some people to protect natural habitat and primitive, fragile environment that are forbidden to tourist, but many places rely on tourism revenue to support their local economy. Green, sustainable tourism is considered to be the best of two world, the ecology of an area protection, at the same time keep the local school and business prosperity. (Lee, et al., 2016)
In order to continue to pay attention to green tourism, countries all over the world tried to practice the concept of green tourism. For example, in developed countries like Japan tourism is promoted by considering the green standard of the whole tourism industry. In addition, UK established the green tourism program in 1997. These facilities are periodically reconsidered to consider energy, waste, recycling, promoting the use of local products and encouraging the use of public transportation.
2.2 Green in MICE Industry
Due to the increase in environmental issues and climate changes of recent years it will be affecting the industry and economy. Especially for the MICE industry because they are looking for numbers of domestic and international travel associated, thereby giving rise to greenhouse gas emission, and the high resources use associated with large scale events. A study from Greening industry in the MICE industry by (Popely & Mair, 2019)
Business travel is vulnerable because it can be viewed as a discretionary activity and in some cases could be replaced by technologies such as video conferencing, Skype and virtual meeting. It is hard to assess whether the economic significance of business tourism is not referred to. As a result, the department seeks to improve the way of environmental sustainability in order to keep up business in long term. The MICE industry is taking a serious approach to the challenge of a recent report on the sustainability of the international conference center and found out that 90% of the industry were either achieved, or actively seeking certification related to sustainable development. (Simons & Cara, 2015)
In recent years, the global environment protection consciousness to rise to the various project won global attention to sustainable development and green MICE. Various exhibition unit described in the goal is to promote the concept of ‘green MICE’ to reduce carbon emission and encouraging a sustainable environment. (Taiwan, 2017)
‘Green’ in the world. MICE industry is leaping forward at a rapid pace, create and deliver more sustainable events. The decision of the future will depend on the MICE destination accommodations, venues, entertainment, transportation and much more. Preparedness and response to the ‘environment’. And planners are strong interest. Meeting planner and decision makers have begun to built-in and research sustainable development factor and destination for meetings and events in the early stages of planning. The world’s leading MICE destination for it is serious problem need, investment and upgrade facilities to sustainability. For those who plan new infrastructure, are in full effort to green world of the latest. (Shekhar, 2013)
2.3 The Advantage of Going Green
There are some common misunderstanding about going green is expensive. That is same misperception occur at green conferences and event. By reducing energy, distributing materials, using water and using transport more efficiently are example of real cost saving in MICE industry. Green conferences can also provide more better experience. Green supply chain could also carry out sustainable competitive advantages. Others intangible benefit of green action may include reputation building, brand awareness, customer and employee satisfaction, and greater public image and engagement . (Leong, 2018 )
(Gracan Daniela, et al., 2010) pointed out that implementing green practices in event could play a key role in reducing risk during economic downturns. This can be explained by increasing competitive advantage, employee belonging and external factors, including supplier stability, and developing green products and services through closer interdependence.