Regenerative agrilcutlre meets tourism on Rhodes
The activities and findings from the joint project with the TUI Care Foundation and the local partner Sustainable Food Destination Organisation on Crete have also been implemented on Rhodes since last year. The aim is to support farmers in switching to regenerative agricultural practices and to establish a close connection with local food production and the tourism industry.
Completed and planned activities
In 2023, collaborations were established with 15 farmers, five food producers, five hotels and a restaurant on Rhodes. These partners are actively involved in the innovative project and are helping to promote sustainable and regenerative practices.
In 2024, two training sessions on regenerative cultivation methods were held for the farmers involved. After initial skepticism, interest in sustainable practices is growing. Initial successes, such as the use of natural fertilizers and the avoidance of intensive soil cultivation, motivated those involved.
The selection and volume of the products grown, including cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, avocados, melons, pomegranates, grapes, olives and grains, is made in coordination with the participating hotels.
Further training and field visits are planned for 2025. The farmers will receive practical instructions, for example on how to optimally prune plants to ensure protection from excessive sunlight while promoting healthy growth. Food producers also benefit from workshops in which they learn how to establish regenerative supply chains and process local products sustainably.
Connection with tourism industry in Rhodes
A central part of the project is linking the farmers and producers with the participating hotels and restaurants. They source the regeneratively grown products, process them into creative dishes and present them to guests at tasting events.
Benefits for climate protection and the region
As part of the project, participating food producers and hotels are offered workshops on the climate footprint of food. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions along the agricultural value chain and to further promote sustainable practices.
The project does not only increase awareness of regenerative agricultural products among locals and tourists, but also opens up new income opportunities for small farmers and food producers. In this way, TUI Field to Fork Rhodes is actively contributing to a more sustainable and economically stronger future for the region.
