LONDON – 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.”
Sebastian Ebel – CEO, TUI Group
“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 endeavour – 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.”
About TUI Group
TUI Group is one of the world’s leading tourism groups and operates worldwide. The Group is headquartered in Germany.
The Group also includes leading tour operator brands and online marketing platforms across Europe, five airlines with more than 100 modern medium and long-haul aircraft and over 1,000 travel agencies.
