The Tui Care Foundation is planning a reforestation project in parts of Rhodes devastated by wildfires this summer.
Native, fire-tolerant trees are to be planted for a future Tui Forest in co-operation with the government of the South Aegean.
Tui customers in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands can support the Tui Forests Programme of the Tui Care Foundation by adopting a tree when booking travel on the respective Tui websites.
Tree adoptions will also soon be available for bookings at Tui travel agencies.
The joint project will be implemented from 2024, with the details currently being finalised.
Nature-based tourism experiences will be developed for the local population and holidaymakers as part of the initiative, helping to create new jobs in the fields of nature conservation and sustainable tourism.
Educational programmes on environmental protection and sustainability are being developed for children and young people.
The Tui Care Foundation, together with the Balearic government, also plans an extensive reforestation project in Majorca.
Tui Care Foundation chair Thomas Ellerbeck said: “Our goal is to plant at least five million trees in Tui forests around the world over the next three years. Such initiatives show that tourism is a driver of positive change – today, in the medium and in the long term.”
The Tui Forest in the Greek destination is being developed as part of the Destination Co-Lab Rhodes partnership between Tui Group, Tui Care Foundation, the South Aegean and Greek governments is to develop Rhodes into a sustainable holiday destination.
The objective to is turn the island into a “beacon for sustainable tourism transformation”, with the hope that other destinations will benefit.
The joint project was announced during the visit of George Chatzimarkos, governor of the South Aegean region, to Tui Group’s international management conference taking place on the Greek island.
Chatzimarkos said: “The new reality of climate change is here and we need to adjust. Sustainability transformation becomes now even more important than it was before.
“Our collaboration with TUI Group can play an important role in this, as it is a holistic approach, covering not only environmental sustainability, but also social, cultural and economic sustainability.
“The Tui Forest is only a part of our Co-Lab strategy and biodiversity is our joint commitment to future generations. Tui Group and Tui Care Foundation along with South Aegean, together we plant the forest of resilience and regeneration οf Rhodes.”
Tui Group chief executive Sebastian Ebel added: “The South Aegean includes some of the most popular holiday destinations for Tui’s guests. Governor Chatzimarkos has impressively shown us that the region not only stands for a first-class tourism product.
“Within the framework of Co-Lab Rhodes, exemplary work is being carried out here on the sustainable transformation of our industry.
“We are proud to be one of the founders of this pioneering initiative, both as a company and with the independent Tui Care Foundation. Sustainability is a top priority for Tui and was therefore also an important topic at our management conference.”