TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel visits Rhodes
TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel and Member of the TUI Group Executive Committee Thomas Ellerbeck meet with South Aegean Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos to review progress of the joint Co-Lab initiative
Extending the season: TUI Rhodes Marathon supports year-round tourism while TUI Care Foundation projects strengthen the connection between destination and guests
Growth: Local value creation, biodiversity and environmental education in the South Aegean
Rhodes, 2 June 2026 – TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel and Thomas Ellerbeck, Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation and Member of the Group Executive Committee, met with Giorgos Hatzimarkos, Governor of the South Aegean and Chairman of the Greek Governors’ Conference, during a visit to Rhodes to review the progress of the Rhodes Co-Lab. Discussions also focused on the development of the South Aegean as a year-round destination and on positioning Rhodes as a pilot destination for tourism development projects focused on resource efficiency, mobility and local economic development.
The Rhodes Co-Lab initiative, which TUI is driving forward together with the South Aegean region and the TUI Care Foundation, is now in its implementation phase. Its objective is to implement projects in areas such as resource management, mobility and local value creation across the tourism value chain.
Projects focus on tangible impact at local level: improving resource efficiency, developing new mobility concepts, reducing waste and strengthening the role of local partners in the economic development of the destination.
A range of pilot projects are already underway. These include beach initiatives focused on reducing single-use plastics, installing water stations and implementing measures to support environmental protection. At the same time, projects to promote low-emission mobility are being advanced, including the expansion of charging infrastructure and first steps towards electrifying tourist transport solutions. Along the travel chain, TUI is also implementing concrete measures: at Rhodes Airport and on flights to the island, new approaches to waste separation are being tested, complemented by initiatives to further reduce single-use plastics.
Another key focus is strengthening local economic cycles. Through the TUI Care Foundation’s “Field to Fork” initiative, local farms are more closely connected with hotels. The aim is to shorten transport routes, improve the quality of regional products and create additional value on the island.
As title sponsor of the TUI Rhodes Marathon, TUI is also supporting sports tourism on the island, particularly in the shoulder seasons. More than 1,000 school children from the island take part in the event each year. TUI will continue its engagement as title sponsor in the years ahead.
The Rhodes Co-Lab forms part of the Group’s long-term sustainability strategy, aimed at reducing emissions, using resources more efficiently and strengthening the economic development of destinations. Rhodes plays a special role as a pilot destination where new approaches are developed and tested, with the objective of scaling successful models to other regions.
About TUI Group
The TUI Group is a leading global tourism group. It offers its more than 34.7 million customers integrated services from a single source and covers the entire tourism value chain under one roof. The Group owns more than 460 hotels and resorts with premium brands such as RIU, TUI Blue, and Robinson, as well as 19 cruise ships, ranging from the luxury class MS Europa and MS Europa 2 and the HANSEATIC class expedition ships to the Mein Schiff fleet of TUI Cruises and cruise ships at Marella Cruises in the UK. The group also includes leading European tour operator brands and online marketing platforms, for example for hotel-only or flight-only offers, five airlines with 125 modern medium- and long-haul aircraft, and around 1,200 travel agencies. In addition to expanding its core business with hotels and cruises through successful joint ventures and activities in holiday destinations, TUI is increasingly focusing on the expansion of digital platforms and transforming itself into a global tourism platform company. The group is headquartered in Germany. TUI shares are listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and are included in the MDAX. They are also traded on the regulated market of the Hanover Stock Exchange.
Global responsibility for sustainable economic, environmental, and social action is at the heart of our corporate culture. The TUI Care Foundation, initiated by TUI, focuses on the positive effects of tourism, education and training, and the strengthening of environmental and social standards with projects in 30 countries. In this way, it supports the development of holiday destinations. The globally active TUI Care Foundation initiates projects that create new opportunities for the next generation.
