In a sector heavily reliant on fossil fuels and facing growing carbon emissions, the need for sustainable solutions is urgent. The CEOs discussed the availability, costs, tax incentives, and regulatory obstacles associated with alternative fuels. They emphasized the need for clear policies to support SAF production and usage, as well as strong public-private collaboration to ensure scalability and competitiveness.
The event also included representatives from Lufthansa, the DRV travel association, the Institute for Tourism and Leisure, and members from DERTOUR, Hotelplan, Condor, and Discover. This diverse participation allowed for a comprehensive discussion across all tourism sectors—from tour operators and airlines to agencies and energy supply chains.
Futouris, a long-time advocate for responsible tourism, reaffirmed its central role in promoting decarbonization. The summit highlighted that without sustainable fuels, it will be impossible to meet environmental targets or maintain the trust of travelers increasingly aware of the climate impact of their journeys.
SAF, including second-generation biofuels and waste-derived alternatives, were presented as one of the most promising paths to emissions reduction. However, participants acknowledged that current production is limited and prices remain high, making it essential to boost industrial development, increase R&D investments, and implement European regulations that facilitate widespread adoption.
While these obstacles persist, airline leaders pointed to progress already underway. Some companies have begun applying internal carbon pricing and purchasing voluntary carbon credits, though it was stressed that these are transitional tools requiring transparency and oversight to avoid greenwashing or ineffective practices.
The Futouris summit in Cologne not only sparked critical reflection but also resulted in a collective roadmap. Concrete actions were proposed, such as providing tax incentives for SAF use in commercial flights, forming public-private alliances to scale production, fostering partnerships between airlines and fuel providers, and sharing data on energy efficiency and carbon footprints to establish best practices across the industry.
Climate change is already influencing travel perception and tourism demand. Europe is seeing growing “flygskam” (flight shame) movements, which pressure airlines to offer more sustainable and responsible alternatives. In this context, the CEOs agreed that SAF is one of the few viable options for maintaining air operations while pursuing emissions reduction goals.
Despite financial, technical, and regulatory challenges, the executives’ shared commitment marked an important step forward. Promoting alternative fuels and operational decarbonization in aviation is essential not just for tour operators but for the entire ecological chain that underpins travel—from destinations to energy suppliers.
In summary, the Futouris summit reaffirms that sustainability in tourism requires more than promises: it demands concrete tools like SAF, cross-sector collaboration, and solid regulatory frameworks. Only through these measures can the industry—so vital to the global economy and connectivity—transform without compromising our climate future.
This gathering also underscored the importance of initiatives like Futouris, which serve as a bridge between the industry and the environment, positioning Germany as a leader in the transition to a greener and more responsible aviation sector.
