One year after signing the Rhodes Declaration, Europe’s leading travel and tourism organizations gathered in Gothenburg, Sweden, on July 9, 2025, to renew their joint commitment to climate resilience and sustainable tourism. This year’s Rhodes Forum served not only as a progress checkpoint but also as a launchpad for more ambitious, collaborative action—particularly around decarbonizing both leisure and business travel.
The original Rhodes Declaration, signed in April 2024, was a collective response by tourism stakeholders to escalating climate threats such as extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and habitat degradation. The declaration outlined seven key action points and called on European policymakers to adopt a supportive regulatory and financial environment for a greener transition.
At the heart of the 2025 forum’s agenda was a renewed emphasis on empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of the tourism industry. Leaders from the Airports Council International, the European Tourism Association, the International Road Transport Union, and others advocated for simplified rules, realistic timelines, and accessible funding that would enable smaller businesses to play a leading role in sustainability efforts.
Peter van der Schans, Executive Director and Vice President of IAAPA EMEA, voiced a collective plea to the European Commission to reflect these priorities in the forthcoming EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy. The message was clear: if the sector is to reduce its climate footprint, MSMEs must be equipped with the resources, tools, and incentives to make that transition.
The Forum also featured panel discussions and workshops focused on long-term destination management, decarbonisation strategies, and cross-sector collaboration. It provided a platform for aligning the tourism industry’s climate goals with broader EU sustainability targets, while highlighting the importance of workforce training, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Although the event was European in scope, the outcomes carry significance for Africa. Many European tourism giants operate on the continent, partnering with local businesses and communities. As sustainability becomes a central pillar of these organizations’ operations, their African partners will increasingly be expected to align with global green standards—especially in popular destinations like Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, and Tanzania.
Moreover, Africa’s tourism MSMEs, which account for up to 80% of the sector, could benefit from similar regulatory simplification and funding support if global pledges translate into international development cooperation. Africa’s cities and rural tourism hubs can also draw lessons from Gothenburg, the host city of the forum, which is near carbon-neutral and consistently ranks among the world’s top destinations for sustainability.
The Rhodes Forum’s return in 2025 signals a broader shift: climate-smart tourism is no longer optional. For Africa—where tourism is both a key economic driver and a lifeline for biodiversity—the urgency is even greater. By strategically engaging with global sustainability platforms and pushing for Africa-specific solutions, the continent can position itself not just as a participant but a leader in sustainable tourism.
