The Travalyst coalition has set sustainability certification criteria for hotel accommodations, aiming for industry consistency.
- Comprising major travel and tech firms, Travalyst’s criteria foster uniform sustainability display across booking platforms.
- The criteria call for third-party audits, public availability of standards, and a focus on socio-economic and environmental impacts.
- Travalyst’s initiative aims to elevate the credibility and awareness of sustainability in the travel sector.
- Founded by Prince Harry, Travalyst’s advisory board includes diverse industry experts guiding this significant step forward.
The Travalyst coalition, a prominent alliance of leading travel and technology companies, has reached a consensus on comprehensive criteria for sustainability certification in the accommodation sector. This decision is anticipated to establish a coherent standard across various booking platforms, encouraging greater awareness and adoption of sustainable practices within mainstream travel. This coalition includes influential names such as Amadeus, Booking.com, the Expedia Group, Google, Skyscanner, Travelport, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, and Visa. Their joint effort represents a significant step towards standardising the display of sustainability certifications, thereby enhancing the visibility and accessibility of such information to travellers.
The newly agreed criteria emphasize the need for a rigorous certification process. Each certification must include a third-party audit that involves either an on-site or online assessment of the practices reported by the accommodation provider. Furthermore, the standard upon which this certification is based must be publicly accessible, ensuring transparency and trust in the certification process. These standards aim to assess the impact of social, economic, and environmental factors, closely aligning with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Travalyst’s Head of Strategy and Impact, Polly Lomas, articulated the coalition’s vision by stating, “Travalyst aims to bring sustainability information to the mainstream to help people make better travel choices.” This initiative is a response to the growing demand for sustainable travel options, providing travellers with clear, consistent, and credible information at scale. Lomas highlighted, “Creating a master list of certification bodies meeting the Travalyst criteria will help to improve the credibility of sustainability information in the accommodation sector, and credibility is key to driving trust.”
Established in 2019 as a not-for-profit coalition by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, Travalyst continues to spearhead initiatives that integrate sustainability into the travel experience. The coalition’s Independent Advisory Group, chaired by Diana Walker of the Brunswick Group, includes reputable experts like Dr Susanne Becken, Marten Dresen, Dr Xavier Font, Professor Paul Peeters, Jeremy Smith, and Dr Anna Spenceley. Their collective expertise plays a pivotal role in validating and guiding the coalition’s strategic direction.
Travalyst’s standardisation of sustainability certification represents a pivotal move towards a more transparent and eco-conscious travel industry.
