Promoting Sustainable Tourism Values At WTM London 2026: Whale Island Resort’s Participation

From 3 to 5 November 2026, Whale Island Resort took part in World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026 at ExCeL London, United Kingdom, bringing the story of Hon Ong Island and Van Phong Bay to international partners. Through the event, the resort shared its perspective on sustainable tourism at WTM London 2026, guided by a commitment to protecting natural values and developing responsible tourism so that the beauty of Vietnam’s seas can be preserved for the long term.

Sustainable tourism takes centre stage at WTM London 2026

WTM London is one of the most influential business-to-business travel trade shows in the world. Its previous edition welcomed around 46,500 travel professionals from more than 180 countries. In 2026, the show was held under the theme “Resilience, Rebound & Reinvention”.

Sustainable tourism was one of the most widely discussed topics. The 20th WTM Ministers’ Summit, attended by around 50 tourism ministers, took the theme “Strengthening Tourism for a Resilient and Regenerative Future”. Ministers discussed climate change, environmental pressures and how to spread visitor flows to ease overtourism.

The shared message was clear: the future of travel does not lie in bringing ever more visitors to the same places, but in developing sustainable tourism that is responsible towards nature and local communities.

Van Phong Bay and a story of sustainable tourism

Whale Island Resort is located on Hon Ong Island, in the heart of Van Phong Bay, Khanh Hoa Province. The island can only be reached by boat, and this very isolation has helped it keep the unspoilt character that many other beaches have lost.

For Whale Island Resort, sustainable tourism begins with respecting the rhythm of the sea. The island takes its name from the whales that pass through the bay between February and May. Their presence is a reminder that these waters need to be protected, not simply used.

Since 1997, Whale Island Resort’s bungalows have been built from bamboo and wood, environmentally friendly materials that sit quietly beneath the green canopy of sea almond trees rather than taking space from the forest and the sea. The resort has also partnered with Rainbow Divers Vietnam and the PADI AWARE Foundation on a coral reef restoration project, placing eco-friendly blocks on the seabed to give young coral a place to settle and grow.

Whale Island Resort also regularly organises waste clean-ups around the island, with the participation of the local community and our guests. Activities such as snorkelling, diving and kayaking are all guided in a “leave no trace” spirit, keeping our impact on coral and marine life to a minimum.

What international partners look for in sustainable tourism at WTM London 2026

At our stand, many partners told us that their clients are increasingly interested in sustainable tourism: fewer crowds, closer contact with nature and a clear understanding of how their trip affects the places they visit. This is also why Van Phong Bay, a destination that remains quiet and uncrowded, attracted so much attention.

The resort also introduced sea-and-mountain itineraries combined with Panhou Retreat in Hoang Su Phi, helping travellers discover lesser-known regions and contributing to spreading visitor flows away from overcrowded destinations.

“For us, tourism is not simply about making a destination famous. It is about discovering and preserving its original values, and through that, offering meaningful experiences to every guest who sets foot here. At WTM London 2026, we had the chance to share the story of Hon Ong with friends from around the world, and to meet partners who share our belief in one direction: sustainable, responsible and long-term tourism development.”

— Mr David Le, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Whale Island Resort

Looking ahead to 2027: building sustainable tourism with our partners

Following WTM London 2026, Whale Island Resort will reconnect with the partners it met at the show to build sustainable tourism programmes for the coming year: longer stays, experiences rooted in nature, and respect for the life of local communities.

Tour operators, travel agents and partners interested in sustainable tourism in Vietnam are welcome to contact the Whale Island Resort sales team directly for information and itinerary suggestions.

Ngọc Vân