Co-Lab Rhodes: Work programme for sustainable transformation of island presented
- Rhodes: climate-neutral by 2030, largely plastic-free by 2027
- Investment of 250 million euros in sustainable transformation
- Holistic approach: Environmental and social challenges as well as local economy in focus
George Chatzimarkos (Governor of the South Aegean Region), Sebastian Ebel (CEO of TUI Group) and Thomas Ellerbeck (Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation) today presented the work programme of Co-Lab Rhodes, the joint initiative for the sustainable transformation of the island, in Athens. In front of members of the Greek government as well as members of the Greek Parliament and representatives of the Greek tourism industry, they present and discuss for the first time how Rhodes is to become a beacon for sustainable transformation. With its holistic approach, the Co-Lab will address the protection of natural resources and the reduction of emissions as well as the strengthening of the local economy and the safeguarding of social standards. From reforestation projects to plastic avoidance, from the digitalisation of services to the upskilling of employees in the tourism industry, the presented work programme contains targeted measures for the sustainable transformation of Rhodes.
The programme sets ambitious goals for Rhodes. The island will be climate-neutral by 2030. Plastic will largely disappear from the island by 2027. The island is to be fully accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. Beaches will be redesigned for this purpose. Agricultural production on the island is also set to increase by 50 per cent. If more fruit and vegetables are grown on the island and no longer delivered from the mainland, fewer emissions will be produced. At the same time, additional employment opportunities will be created on the island.
"With this programme, Rhodes will become a beacon for sustainable tourism. The cooperation with our local partners and in Athens shows how the public sector and companies can work together to move things forward. We need close and open dialogue with the destinations in order to make the entire travel value chain more sustainable. Co-Lab Rhodes is therefore already a model for the TUI Group," says Sebastian Ebel, CEO of the TUI Group.
George Chatzimarkos, Governor of the South Aegean Region, explains: "The tourism of the future is sustainable. It minimises its impact on the environment and maximises its positive impact on local people and the local economy. Our work programme brings these three objectives together. With a holistic approach, we are not only improving tourism on our island, but we are also making Rhodes a better island for its inhabitants – and a role model for other destinations."
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The TUI Group is one of the world's leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed in the MDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in the regulated market of the Lower Saxony Stock Exchange in Hanover. TUI Group offers its 20 million customers integrated services from a single source and forms the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns over 400 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue and Robinson and 17 cruise ships, ranging from the MS Europa and MS Europa 2 in the luxury class and expedition ships in the HANSEATIC class to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships operated by Marella Cruises in the UK. The Group also includes Europe's leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with more than 130 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises via successful joint ventures and activities in vacation destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms. The Group is transforming itself into a global tourism platform company.
Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. With projects in 25 countries, the TUI Care Foundation initiated by TUI focuses on the positive effects of tourism, on education and training and on strengthening environmental and social standards. In this way, it supports the development of vacation destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.
