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 – Sustainable Destination initiative. Discussions also focused on the development of the South Aegean as a year-round destination and on positioning Rhodes as an international flagship for sustainable tourism.
“Sustainability and growth go hand in hand for TUI – and this approach pays off. Beyond its environmental importance, sustainability is increasingly a key economic opportunity. The region has strong potential to become a year-round destination, supported by international events such as the TUI Rhodes Marathon. This also opens up opportunities to address new customer segments. At the same time, initiatives such as the use of solar energy, efficient water management and innovative e-mobility solutions deliver clear benefits for our guests, our employees and local communities. Rhodes is making excellent progress and continues to see strong demand and high service quality in a particularly competitive international environment,” said Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group.
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 deliver sustainable solutions along the entire tourism value chain.
“The Rhodes Co-Lab demonstrates how sustainable development in a destination can be achieved step by step. A holistic approach is key – spanning energy, mobility, agriculture, education and local value creation. The projects on Rhodes have a strong model character and provide valuable insights for other destinations,” said Thomas Ellerbeck.
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. “The Rhodes Co-Lab is a practical example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration between the public and private sectors when there is a shared vision and common values. We are honoured to work together with the world’s leading tourism company. From the outset, this initiative was highly ambitious. Today, it is encouraging to see the transition from ambition to implementation – with concrete projects and measurable results,” said Giorgos Hatzimarkos, Governor of the South Aegean.
A range of pilot projects are already underway. These include the development of more sustainable beaches, with reduced single-use plastics, the installation of water stations and measures to protect the natural environment. At the same time, projects to promote climate-friendly 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.
TUI Rhodes Marathon as a model for other destinations
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.
With the Rhodes Co-Lab, TUI underlines its ambition to actively shape sustainable tourism. The initiative 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.