One year after the adoption of the , Europe¡¯s leading tourism and travel organisations are in Gothenburg to renew and strengthen their shared commitment to sustainability and climate resilience.
The 2025 edition of the Rhodes Forum, taking place this week in Gothenburg, Sweden, is bringing together key European stakeholders 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) and supporting the industry to achieve the green transition. The event is complemented by site visits and engagement with local partners, including to the iconic Liseberg Park, offering real-world insights.
Peter van der Schans, IAAPA EMEA¡¯s Executive Director and Vice President, stated on behalf of the coalition, ¡°We call on the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to take into account 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.
"Today¡¯s actions in Gothenburg build directly on the momentum from Rhodes and will shape a new era of responsible and resilient travel and tourism.¡±
Anna Gr?nlund, IRU¡¯s Vice-President and Director of the Swedish Bus and Coach Federation, added, ¡°Coach transport must be part of any serious strategy to decarbonise travel and tourism.
¡°Coaches are one of the most sustainable, inclusive, and efficient modes of transport. From remote rural areas to major tourist destinations, they connect people and places while keeping emissions low.
¡°This forum is an important step in ensuring that coach operators, many of them small and family-run businesses, are fully supported in the green transition.¡±
Why Gothenburg
Sweden¡¯s Gothenburg has earned global recognition as a leader in sustainable urban development.
Nearly carbon neutral and ranked among the top cities in the Global Destination Sustainability Index, the city exemplifies how public-private collaboration can drive climate innovation and inclusive community engagement. Delegates are exploring how Gothenburg¡¯s approach to a sustainable visitor economy, infrastructure planning, and governance could inspire broader adoption across Europe.
Forum highlights
1. Case studies on Gothenburg¡¯s sustainable visitor model and climate-friendly infrastructure
2. Panel discussions on long-term destination management and resilience
3. Strategic workshops to align priorities across the tourism and travel sector with EU-wide sustainability goals for both leisure and business visitors
This year¡¯s event reinforces the tourism and travel industry's joint commitment to:
1. Act as catalysts for positive change through knowledge-sharing
2. Support MSMEs in navigating climate and regulatory challenges
3. Advocate for a strong public-private partnership for decarbonisation
4. Invest in training, upskilling and workforce readiness for a sustainable future
The forum¡¯s outcomes will contribute to the collective roadmap for a climate-neutral European tourism sector by 2050 while reinforcing cooperation with EU institutions and local governments.