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Initiative

Τhe Rhodes Co-Lab Sustainable Destination

Τhe Rhodes Co-Lab Sustainable Destination
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Region of South Aegean

The Region of South Aegean is one of the thirteen regions of Greece. It consists of the Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups in the central and south-eastern Aegean Sea. The capital of the region is situated in Ermoupoli on the island of Syros.

Read more: www.pnai.gov.gr


Contact

Objective Action

Rhodes is transformed into a Model World Tourist Destination and established as an International Center of a holistic model of Sustainable Development & Entrepreneurship for tourist destinations all over the world.

 

Target Audience

It addresses the entire tourism value chain of Rhodes, entrepreneurship and the entire local community, for the holistic transformation of infrastructure, services and entrepreneurship, in the areas of:

  • transfers
  • accommodation
  • activities and excursions
  • food and drinks
  • tourism assets
  • general support services.
 

Duration

Co-Lab Rhodes will have a total duration of 5 years, from its official launch in January 2022.

In the first half of 2023, the International Center for Sustainable Tourism Development will be established, which will remain in permanent operation indefinitely.


Description

The Co-Lab is a creative and innovative collaboration between the South Aegean Region and the TUI Group, which with the support of the Municipality of Rhodes and the participation of the destination's stakeholders, will co-shape a Holistic Model for the transformation of a mature tourist destination into a sustainable tourist model destination.

The strategic planning and implementation of Co-Lab's actions is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN and the European Green Agreement of the EU, and concerns the following 4 axes:

  • Creating Green Economic Development
  • Green Transformation & Circular Economy
  • Strengthening the positive social and economic footprint of tourism
  • Biodiversity restoration & natural environment protection.

In the axis of green economic development, the objective is:

  • the creation of new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities
  • the strengthening of local added value through innovative experiences,
  • the tightening of relations between local small and medium enterprises and the tourism sector.

In the axis of green transformation and circular economy, priorities are:

  • energy, water and waste management,
  • the strengthening of local resources and local production/local products
  • sustainable mobility and fuel transformation.

In the axis of strengthening the positive social and economic footprint of tourism, the following will be pursued:

  • the best career prospects through training and upskilling of human resources
  • the empowerment of youth and children through education
  • the protection and promotion of local culture and local heritage.

In the axis of restoring biodiversity and protecting the natural environment, the actions will concern, among others:

  • in the reforestation and regeneration of the land
  • in preserving the diversity of nature
  • in the protection of coastal and marine wealth.

The Co-Lab Rhodes project will be governed by a business plan/master plan, which is currently in preparation and will be completed in June 2022.

In addition, the Co-Lab innovates with the establishment in Rhodes, in the first half of 2023, of the International Center for Sustainable Tourism Development, which:

  • will function as an Observatory for the monitoring, gathering and evaluation of data concerning all areas of actions
  • will monitor and support the implementation of the actions
  • will provide training programs to support tourism entrepreneurship and connect young people with employment opportunities
  • will implement information and training programs for local society and local entrepreneurship in sustainable development
  • will develop best practices and policies for sustainable tourism development that can be adopted and benefit other tourist destinations worldwide.
  • will strengthen academic networking in collaboration with major universities, academic and research centers in Greece and abroad.

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Impact on Society

The business plan under preparation sets specific goals for the environment, the economy and society. In the environmental sector, the central aim is for Rhodes to become a climate-neutral destination by 2040, according to measurable goals and results that will be defined by specific key performance indicators (KPIs) and will concern, among other things, the reduction of pollutant emissions from maritime transport , the energy upgrade of buildings, the widespread use of electric vehicles in road transport, the protection of biodiversity, etc.

Accordingly, key performance indicators are defined in achieving the objectives for society and specifically for social cohesion, accessibility and mobility, as well as in the economic sector, with the aim of a sustainable blue economy and the adoption of circular economy best practices.



Initiative Location

Rhodes Island - South Aegean Region, Greece


Working with Organization

Co-Lab Rhodes Sustainable Destination created jointly by the South Aegean Region, the TUI Group and the TUI Care Foundation, with the support of the Municipality of Rhodes, includes collaborations with local, regional, national and international agencies with the aim of successfully implementing holistic model.

The Co-Lab and its implementation is under the umbrella of the prime minister and includes cooperation with the government, at national, regional and local level, with administrative authorities and public services, with public infrastructure companies (especially in the areas of waste management, of energy, water management, etc.).

Specifically, in Greece, collaborations will be developed with all local stakeholders, as well as scientific and development bodies at local and national level, business bodies and non-profit organizations. Indicatively, businesses in the areas of accommodation, excursions and activities, catering, suppliers in the tourism and food-beverage sectors, airports and airlines, tour operators, ports and cruise companies will be cooperating. associations and entrepreneurship bodies, local producers and farmers, etc.

  It will collaborate with universities and other academic and educational institutions in Greece and abroad, with public and private schools and organizations, as well as youth organizations.

It will also collaborate with international and European tourism and sustainability agencies, such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO, the World Travel and Tourism Council WTTC, the World Sustainable Tourism Council GSTC, etc.


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Workers Participation

According to the schedule, in the summer of 2022 a special campaign (engagement campaign) will start for the participation of the local community, local businesses, workers and tourists. Depending on the individual projects that will be selected for each year, the need for volunteers will also be determined.


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Benefits for Οrganization

The South Aegean Region will deliver measurable results in the framework of the implementation of the action plan for Rhodes, which, among other things, includes

  • In green economic development: the transition to green energy/RES, Sustainable Mobility and fuel transformation, conservation of water resources, waste management, etc.
  • In the green transformation and circular economy: the reduction of waste/food waste, the sustainable management of local resources and the strengthening of local production, the adoption of circular economy models and standards, etc.
  • In strengthening the positive economic and social footprint in tourism: the successful implementation of the 365-day destination model, the digital transformation of the sector, the creation of sustainable jobs, the strengthening of entrepreneurship, the improvement of infrastructure, etc.
  • In the restoration of biodiversity and the protection of the natural environment: the reforestation and regeneration of land, the protection of the marine and coastal environment, the upgrading of marine infrastructure, the preservation of the biodiversity of Rhodes on land, in the air and in the water, etc.



Connection with Global Goals







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