TUI Aims to Make Rhodes a Blueprint Model for Sustainable Tourism Transformation

Travel giant TUI on Wednesday said its Destination Co-Lab Rhodes project, launched earlier this year in partnership with the Region of the South Aegean and the Greek government, is a key initiative within the company’s new Sustainability Agenda.

The Destination Co-Lab Rhodes aims to establish the South Aegean Region and the island of Rhodes in particular as the global center for sustainable destination model development.

“Together with our Greek partners we want to develop Rhodes into an international blueprint of sustainable tourism transformation,” TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel said during a press conference hosted by Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias on the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) 2022 travel show in London.

TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel speaking during Greece’s press conference at WTM London 2022. Photo source: TUI Group

“The Co-Lab is a truly holistic initiative – covering all the various aspects, and all the various stakeholder groups that are needed to shape the sustainable future of a destination. This has not been done anywhere on that scale before,” Ebel said.

The ambitious Co-Lab initiative sees sustainability experts working together with Rhodes’ local tourism industry and international partners in order to find concrete sustainable solutions and develop and implement them on the Greek island over the next five years.

“We have high ambitions and we could not wish for better partners than our Greek and South Aegean friends… Our joint vision for the Co-Lab is clear. We know what needs to be done. We will now bring the Destination Co-Lab to life,” TUI’s CEO said, highlighting that by working together, Greece and TUI can create “the destination of the future”.

Sustainability Agenda

During the press conference, Ebel discussed the upcoming launch of the TUI Sustainability Agenda.

“We have a sustainability track record that we are proud of and we are committed to lead the industry also in future. Sustainability is a top priority on my agenda,” he said.

Scheduled to launch in a few weeks, TUI’s Sustainability Agenda “People, Planet, Progress” has an ambitious roadmap for all three dimensions of sustainability.

“We will drive down our emissions and the use of resources. And we will massively boost local participation in the destinations we operate in – making sure that local communities benefit more from the success of our industry,” TUI’s CEO said.

Moroever, Ebel referred to this decade as one of sustainable transformation.

“This is particularly true for the tourism sector – an industry that of course heavily relies on intact natural environment and fair social participation. For us at TUI this is not a threat. It´s an opportunity,” he said.

Headquartered in Germany, TUI is represented in Greece through its TUI Hellas branch office.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London.