In the framework of the UN Biodiversity Conference held in Bonn, Dr Peter Engelen, member of TUI AG’s Executive Board, will sign a corresponding Leadership Declaration on 29 May 2008. The Group thus commits to continually implement sustainable nature conservation. "Biodiversity is the natural asset of our holiday regions and hence the natural basis for tourism – both today and for future generations. In signing the Leadership Declaration we will visibly support the objectives of the Convention", said Engelen, in charge of the Group’s Environmental Management.

At the occasion of the UN Conference, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation has called upon German and international companies to jointly develop measures in order to integrate the preservation of biodiversity in their business workflows. TUI AG is one of the pioneering companies in this regard, presenting its engagement in the framework of the Business and Biodiversity Initiative from 27 to 30 May 2008. TUI has already closely cooperated with nature conservation organisations and governmental initiatives for more than ten years, incorporating the biodiversity requirements into the specific questions related to the development of tourism. Initiating projects and campaigns such as the Year of the Dolphin, the Company has also raised the awareness of tourists and the local population in the holiday destinations of their responsibility for nature conservation.

The 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity is held in Bonn from 19 to 30 May 2008. Germany hosts the Conference, expected to be attended by around 5,000 participants from 190 signatory states.