Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group.
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.
HANOVER – 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.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
