On 9 July 2025, one year after signing the Rhodes Declaration, Europe’s leading tourism and travel organisations have gathered in the Swedish city of Gothenburg for the 2025 edition of the Rhodes Forum. Key European stakeholders in the tourism industry will be renewing and strengthening their shared commitment to sustainability and climate resilience.
On 9 April 2024, key players from the travel and tourism industry signed he Rhodes Declaration in Greece. In response to pressing challenges such as extreme weather events and habitat destruction, endangering the sector, they committed to embrace a more sustainable approach. A total of seven action points were determined and agreed upon, while the industry called on EU decision-makers to take action and support the sector to reach its goals.
One year later, the same actors – including the Airports Council International, the European Tourism Association, and the International Road Transport Union – have gathered in the Swedish Gothenburh to assess progress, exchange best practices, and accelerate efforts to decarbonise both leisure and business travel and tourism. Special emphasis is placed on empowering micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“We call on the EU institutions to consider the sustainability priorities of Europe’s travel and tourism ecosystem. In the upcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, we count on simplified regulatory frameworks, realistic transition timelines, and funding mechanisms that are accessible to MSMEs,” said Peter van der Schans, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA EMEA, on behalf of the coalition.
More resilient and sustainable travel and tourism
— IRU (@the_IRU) April 9, 2024
IRU joined road transport and tourism leaders today in Rhodes, Greece, to sign a landmark declaration
United, we commit to steering the industry towards more #sustainability and #carbonneutrality.
➡️ https://t.co/w0Ay3coNKp pic.twitter.com/nkgkGwVwqP
Tje Gothenburg example
During the Forum, several topics will be touched upon by the present organisations, including Cruise Lines International Association, European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operator’s Association, and Europan Exhibition Industry Alliance. For example, panel discussions will be held on long-term destination management and resilience, while strategic workshops aim to align priorities across the tourism and travel sector with EU-wide sustainability goals for both leisure and business visitors.
Once again, by gathering, the stake holders in the tourism and travel industry – such as European Regions Airline Association, European Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes, The Global Association for the Attractions Industry, and European Federation of Rural Tourism – want to show their joint commitment to act as catalysts for positive change through knowledge-sharing, to upport MSMEs in navigating climate and regulatory challenges, to advocate for a strong public-private partnership for decarbonisation, and to invest in training, upskilling, and workforce readiness for a sustainable future.
The decision to hold the Rhodes Forum in Gothenburg wasn’t a coincidence. As a city, Gothenburg is nearly carbon-neutral and it is ranked among the top cities in the Global Destination Sustainability Index. In particular, it exemplifies how public-private collaboration can drive climate innovation and inclusive community engagement. Therefore, case studies on Gothenburg’s sustainable visitors model and climate-friendly infrastructure will be presented during the Rhodes Forum.
