One year after the adoption of the Rhodes Declaration, 10 leading European tourism and travel organisations are reuniting in Gothenburg to renew their shared commitment to sustainability and climate resilience.
From 7 to 9 July, this year’s Forum brings together key European tourism stakeholders to assess progress to date, exchange best practices, and accelerate efforts to decarbonise tourism and business travel.
The focus of the discussions is on strengthening micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of the European tourism ecosystem, as well as supporting them in their transition to a greener and more sustainable business model, actively contributing to a climate-neutral European tourism sector by 2050.
During the Forum, delegates exchanged best practices, assessed progress made so far, and agreed on key priorities for the new EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy, which is expected to be published in the near future.
“The green transition must continue, but it must be fair and achievable,” stressed HOTREC President Alexandros Vassilikos. “Our industry,” he added, “has clear commitments to building a more sustainable future, but we need a European legislative framework that enables small businesses to thrive while contributing to Europe’s climate goals. This means better regulation, simplified access to finance, and realistic deadlines that reflect reality.”
Mr. Vassilikos pointed out: “The hospitality industry is already contributing to Europe’s climate goals, from limiting carbon emissions to reducing food waste and investing in more energy-efficient buildings. But time is running out. We need European and national policies that accelerate this transition, not slow it down with complexity or exclusion for small businesses.”
Highlights of the forum included:
Case studies that highlighted successful models of sustainable visitor management and climate-friendly infrastructure, both in urban and agritourism settings.
Strategic workshops, in which private sector executives worked with experts to align business priorities with European strategies.
Visits to local landmarks, such as the famous Liseberg theme park, served as a living example of how sustainability can be applied to entertainment and tourism.
The following organizations participated in the forum:
Airports Council Europe (ACI EUROPE),
Cruise Line International Association (CLIA),
European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association (ECTAA),
European Exhibition Industry Alliance (EEIA),
European Regional Air Carriers Association (ERA),
European Tourism Association (ETOA),
European Hotel, Restaurant, Bar and Café Association (HOTREC),
International Association of the Attractions Industry (IAAPA),
International Road Transport Union (IRU) and European Rural Tourism Federation (RURALTOUR).
