Agents were told they can play a key role in creating a sustainable future for the travel industry as Prince Harry and some of the sector’s biggest online players launched an ecotourism project.
Travalyst, a new global partnership that aims to develop and implement sustainable policies and best practice in travel, was launched by the Duke of Sussex in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
More: Comment: Can Prince Harry help travel forge a sustainable future?
It is backed by firms including Skyscanner, Booking.com and TripAdvisor. Bryan Dove, Skyscanner chief executive, told Travel Weekly: “Our opportunity, if we’re working in digital or face to face, is to understand how we can help people find more sustainable experiences and see destinations that were not top of mind.
“This is not about inhibiting choice, it’s about broadening people’s horizons to understand there might be other locations that give them unique and different experiences.”
Prince Harry said he was inspired to create Travalyst having seen first‑hand the impact of tourism.
The prince said: “As tourism inevitably grows, it is crucially important to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices worldwide, and to balance this growth with the needs of the environment and the local population.
“Bringing companies, consumers and communities together is our best chance to protect destinations and ecosystems for future generations.”
The prince defended his use of private jets, saying he occasionally needs to ensure his family is safe. He said he flew to Tuesday’s event on a commercial aircraft.
Travalyst will work with companies, consumers and communities to explore solutions to increase the adoption of sustainable practices in areas including supporting local people, protecting wildlife, tackling climate change, environmental damage and addressing overtourism.
More: Comment: Can Prince Harry help travel forge a sustainable future?
