The tourism of tomorrow at the heart of Europe

20 Years of Action by the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI): Two European Commissioners to Speak at the Conference in Nicosia

Nicosia is set to become a focal point for Europe’s sustainable tourism dialogue as the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) marks 20 years of impactful leadership in advancing sustainability in tourism. To commemorate this milestone, CSTI is organising a high-level European conference titled “European Conference on Sustainable Tourism – Celebrating 20 Years of CSTI Leadership in Sustainability (2006–2026)”, to be held on 27 February 2026 under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

The conference aims to serve as a landmark event for shaping the future of sustainable tourism in Europe and the Mediterranean, bringing together senior representatives from European institutions, international organisations, national governments, the tourism industry, and academia.

Global Voices, European Agenda, Mediterranean Perspective

The conference will feature an exceptional line-up of distinguished speakers, including two European Commissioners, underscoring the strategic importance of the event at EU level:

• Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism
  Keynote Address: “Sustainable Transport and Tourism in Europe”
• Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
  “The European Ocean Pact: Building Synergies for Sustainable Tourism in the EU”
• Dr Christina Anagnostopoulou, Professor of Climatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  “Turning Climate Data into Decisions: Enhancing Mediterranean Tourism Resilience with Seasonal Forecasts”
• Jeremy Sampson, CEO of The Travel Foundation, Co-author of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, and Founding Member of the Future of Tourism Coalition
  “Where Next: The Imperative and Opportunity to Transform the Tourism System for Good”
• Helen Caron, Member of the Board of Trustees, TUI Care Foundation
  “Keep Our Sand and Sea Plastic-Free – Destination Zero Waste Cyprus and Greece”

From Theory to Collective Action: High-Level Roundtable Discussions

At the core of the conference programme will be two flagship roundtable discussions focusing on practical pathways to sustainability:

• “Building Tourism Resilience through Local, Mediterranean, European and Global Synergies”
• “Driving Sustainable Tourism at the Local Level: Public–Private Perspectives and Practical Solutions”

Participants will include, among others, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, the Cyprus Deputy Minister of Tourism, the Greece Deputy Minister of Tourism, the Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Welfare, the President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, the President of the Association of Cyprus Travel and Tourism Agents (ACTTA), the Director of the IUCN European Regional Office, the COO of easyJet holidays, the CFO of Hermes Airports, representatives of UN Tourism, and other leading figures from across the tourism ecosystem.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Philippos Drousiotis, Executive Chairman of CSTI, stated:
“Over the past 20 years, CSTI has demonstrated that sustainable tourism is not an abstract concept, but a collective process that delivers measurable results for local communities, the environment and the economy. This conference is not merely a celebration of our journey, but a strategic moment to shape—together with Europe—the tourism of tomorrow: a more resilient, more responsible and more equitable tourism model.”

20 Years of CSTI: From Vision to Measurable Impact

Established in 2006, CSTI has evolved into a recognised model of collaboration between the public and private sectors, local communities, and international organisations. Its work has received international recognition through strategic partnerships with organisations such as UN Tourism, UNEP, IUCN, the TUI Care Foundation, The Travel Foundation, and the Prince Albert II Foundation, demonstrating that sustainability in tourism is not theory, but practice with tangible impact.

Registration Information

Participation in the conference is strictly by pre-registration, with a limited number of delegate places available.

Registration deadline: 13 February 2026

Registration steps:

1. Visit: https://delegate.cy2026.eu/secured/login
2. Create an account
3. Activate your account
4. Use access code CY1DMT2.azqc2&Jh>4vr to complete your registration

For assistance, please contact the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI):
Email: info@csti-cyprus.org  
Telephone: (+357) 99800189

Invitation and Conference Programme:
https://csti-cyprus.org/2026/01/european-conference-on-sustainable-tourism-celebrating-20-years-of-csti-leadership-in-sustainability/