Hanover, 9 November 2022

“We have entered a decade of sustainable transformation. For us at TUI this is not a threat – it´s an opportunity.”

  • Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group delivers remarks on sustainability at World Travel Market London

  • Destination Co-Lab Rhodes starts roll out of strategy to make Rhodes a blueprint model for sustainable tourism transformation​

At a press conference hosted by Vasilis Kikilias, Tourism Minister of Greece, Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group has delivered remarks on sustainability and the upcoming launch of the TUI Sustainability Agenda:

“We have entered a decade 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.

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. In a few weeks, we will launch our Sustainability Agenda – People, Planet, Progress – with 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.

The Destination Co-Lab Rhodes that we have developed in partnership with the Region of the South Aegean and the Greek Government is a key initiative within our new Agenda. Together with our Greek partners we want to develop Rhodes into an international blueprint of sustainable tourism transformation. 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.

We have high ambitions – and we could not wish for better partners than our Greek and South Aegean friends. I had the pleasure to discuss our plans with Minister Kikilias and Governor Chatzimarkos even before I took over as CEO. And I was very impressed by their vision, their expertise and their passion to drive change for a better world. 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. I want to invite all of the relevant stakeholders to join us in that endeavor – partners, competitors, the civil society. This is not about TUI or the South Aegean – this is about all of us. The challenge is enormous. But I have no doubt: Together we can create the destination of the future.”

For more information on TUI's activities at the WTMs, click here.

About TUI Group

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 19 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.

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