About ST4SD

ABOUT ST4SD

The Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development (ST4SD) project, financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), aims at making Vietnam’s tourism sector more sustainable and inclusive. It is implemented by the consortium of Swiss and Vietnamese non-profit organizations – Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation and the CRED Tourism and Agriculture Solution Consulting Company Limited in Ha Giang, Quang Nam, and Dong Thap provinces – in the 2024-2027 period. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appoints the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism as the project owner.

The ST4SD project supports the implementation of action plans and strengthen public-private dialogue at both national and subnational level; establish a Swiss Executive Hospitality Training (EHT) programme at qualified Vietnamese training institutes and create a network of international, Swiss, and local tourism experts, and promote innovative concepts for businesses and destinations to strengthen sustainability, including the introduction of sustainability standards. 

In the three selected provinces, the project will provide technical assistance in developing and branding tourism destinations and products that are appropriate for the current tourism development plan of each province, thereby promoting sustainable development in the provinces. In the long term, the project aims to contribute to the creation of new livelihoods and the sustainable economic development of Vietnam.

THE ST4SD PROJECT
APPROACH

The project chooses a more market-oriented, public-private dialogue, community based and innovation approach with the values of sustainability and Swissness covering all the activities, especially with the participation from two Swiss partners - EHL Hospitality Business School and the Lucerne University of Applied Science and Arts (HSLU).

OUR TEAM

Project Team Lead
Destination Management Organisation, certification program and community-based tourism development

Mr. Messmer brings over 20 years of extensive international experience in sustainable tourism development, with a particular focus on nature and culture-based tourism. He has successfully led multiple high-impact programs, including three terms as Chief of Party (Team leader) for USAID-funded tourism initiatives in Morocco, Egypt and Armenia, where he worked closely with government ministries and private sector stakeholders to enhance community-based tourism, strengthen institutional capacity, and attract responsible private investment.
From 2020 to 2024, he led the USAID Integrated Management of Cultural Tourism (IMCT) Activity in Egypt, engaging with both heritage authorities and the private sector to promote authentic and experiential travel. His earlier work with the Smithsonian Institution’s “My Armenia” program exemplifies his expertise in linking tourism with cultural preservation and local economic development.
Mr. Messmer holds strong experience in tourism regulatory environment, destination management, community-based tourism development and certification programs. He has two Master degrees from Kedge Business School, France and the Rotterdam Business School, The Netherlands and is fluent in French, English and Spanish.