Rhodes: Hoteliers to Spearhead Island’s Sustainability Agenda

The Rhodes Hotel Association (RHA) entered a ground-breaking agreement this week with The Rhodes Co-Lab Sustainable Destination program for certification spearheading efforts to establish Rhodes as the world’s first holistic sustainable tourism destination.

Under the memorandum of cooperation signed this week by RHA President Ioannis Papavasiliou and South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos, the island’s hoteliers will be awarded a special seal that certifies sustainable practices that contribute to the program’s goals which focus on creating solutions towards a sustainable and resilient tourism destination by 2030.

The Rhodes Co-Lab certification seal and a guide of best practices are scheduled to be released by the end of the year. Additionally, the agreement also includes joint initiatives aimed at transforming Rhodes into a model tourist destination and sustainable development and entrepreneurship hub.

South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos and RHA President Ioannis Papavasiliou.

“During the unprecedented climate crisis affecting the entire planet, we are at the forefront working to leave behind a better world,” said Hatzimarkos, adding that hoteliers have been spearheading these efforts for decades.

Also commenting on the agreement, Papavasiliou said the island’s hoteliers would be ready before the program’s five-year deadline to reintroduce Rhodes to the world.

“The association’s priorities for sustainability, which include renewable energy sources, water conservation, and recycling, are in full harmony with those outlined in The Rhodes Co-Lab program. Our goal now is to secure and obtain The Rhodes Co-Lab special certification seal and we have already met 70% of the requirements,” he added.

The Rhodes Co-Lab Sustainable Destination program is a joint initiative of the South Aegean Region, TUI Group and the TUI Care Foundation, in cooperation with the Rhodes Municipality and local tourism stakeholders.