South Aegean Joins Inter-Island Tourism Forum
The region becomes the first European member of the ITOP Forum, a network of island governments focused on tourism and sustainability.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Travel — General
The South Aegean Region became the first European member of the Inter-Island Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum at the 27th ITOP Forum in Jeju, South Korea. Governor George Hatzimarkos addressed island delegations at the ITOP Leaders Roundtable.
Why it matters
Membership gives the South Aegean a seat in an international network of islands including Okinawa, Bali, Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands, all working on tourism development and sustainability. It positions the region's sustainability programs within a broader global exchange among island destinations.
The 27th ITOP Forum, held in Jeju, South Korea, is where the South Aegean's membership was marked, placing the region among eight major island destinations. The source does not report measurable tourism outcomes from the membership.
The players
George Hatzimarkos
Governor of the South Aegean Region who addressed the ITOP Leaders Roundtable in Jeju.
TUI Group
Global tourism company that partners with the South Aegean Region on the Rhodes Co-Lab sustainable tourism model.
The details
Governor George Hatzimarkos addressed the heads of island delegations and a UN Tourism representative at the ITOP Leaders Roundtable. The region highlighted its existing programs, including Rhodes Co-Lab, a partnership with TUI Group and the TUI Care Foundation.
Timeline
2023: Tilos received Zero Waste Cities certification, becoming the world's first island to do so.
2024: The Just Go Zero initiative won the Grand Jury Prize at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards.
27th ITOP Forum: The South Aegean's membership was marked at the forum in Jeju, South Korea.
Travel Outlook
The ITOP Forum links island destinations including Bali, Hawaii and Zanzibar in a shared approach to tourism development. The South Aegean's entry adds a European island region to a network that has been largely Asian, African and Pacific in composition.
Travelers considering the South Aegean islands may find more sustainability-focused programs as regional initiatives expand. The source does not describe changes to flights, pricing or access for visitors.
The takeaway
Island destinations are increasingly sharing sustainability approaches across borders, as the South Aegean's Just Go Zero model shows. Travelers interested in low-waste destinations can look for islands participating in such networks.
Further reading
Explore more on Travel — General to see how island destinations are approaching sustainable tourism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GTP Headlines.
