Prince Harry delivered the opening speech at a virtual global summit for his sustainable tourism project Travalyst today.
Appearing via video link from Los Angeles, he called on the travel industry to “build back better” after Covid-19 saying it has a “responsibility” to reshape the way people travel.
Travalyst was co-founded last year with firms including Skyscanner Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Trip.com.
It now operates as an independent non-profit organisation based in the UK.
The prince said: “Many of you joining us today rely on visitors for your livelihoods.
“Businesses are hurting significantly, and I’ve heard from some of you who are currently struggling to put food on your family’s tables and make ends meet because there are no tourists and therefore no income.
“We need to build back – but we need to build back better. And that means there’s a responsibility, a responsibility we cannot avoid or dismiss, for us to reshape this industry in a way that benefits everyone and everything for decades to come.”
He added: “Before the pandemic unfolded we witnessed more and more young people expressing an interest in authentic travel experiences and an ability to partake in trips that are greener, that allow them to support local communities, uphold heritage and protect destinations and cultures.
“This is the future of travel, and a future that Travalyst is here to support and catalyse.”