Islands like Rhodes which have a thriving tourism industry also face significant environmental problems from single-use plastics, which often end up in overflowing trash cans near the sea or on the beach. Every year, the island welcomes more than two million tourists, which is 16 times its own resident population. Limited resources, lack of environmental awareness and education, plus a scarcity of alternative materials are key issues.
The TUI Junior Academy Rhodes establishes a training programme for teachers covering climate-related topics and delivers educational seminars on ocean and shark awareness to students around the island of Rhodes. Adopting a model of classroom theory followed by hands-on activities in nature, the programme engages all 99 elementary and secondary schools on Rhodes, as well as public sector organisations, and raises awareness about the importance of a sustainable tourism sector.