Co-Lab Rhodes: Work programme for sustainable transformation of island presented

03.04.2024 - 12:16 / traveldailynews.com / Sebastian Ebel / Theodore Koumelis

Investment of 250 million euros in sustainable transformation.

George Chatzimarkos (Governor of the South Aegean Region), Sebastian Ebel (CEO of TUI Group) and Thomas Ellerbeck (Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation) 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.” 

During his presentation in Athens, Governor Chatzimarkos announced that the budget for the sustainable transformation of Rhodes will amount to 250 million euros and that the funds will come from Greek government programmes. Among the