Travalyst, a not-for-profit organization spearheaded by Prince Harry of England, has recently announced the launch of the first batch of accommodation sustainability certifications that meet its stringent criteria. With a total of 49 compliant certifications, this marks a significant milestone for Travalyst’s overarching initiative to enhance credibility and consistency in the way sustainability certifications are showcased on various travel booking platforms.
Criteria and Partnerships
Established in 2019, Travalyst aims to revolutionize the way consumers make travel decisions by mainstreaming sustainability information. Working alongside prominent partners such as Booking.com, Google, Sabre, and Mastercard, the organization has laid out three primary criteria to assess the compliance of accommodation certifications, including the requirement for publicly available standards and third-party audits. This move comes on the heels of Booking.com’s decision to discontinue its “Travel Sustainable” badge under pressure from regulatory authorities, opting instead to prioritize third-party certification schemes.
Sally Davey, the CEO of Travalyst, emphasized the challenges faced by both consumers and accommodation providers in navigating the myriad of sustainability certification bodies worldwide. Through the certification initiative, Travalyst seeks to simplify this process and make it more accessible to all stakeholders. The initiative is open to any accommodation certification provider, with notable names such as Sustonica, WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics, and Green Globe Certification already listed as compliant.
Looking ahead, Travalyst unveiled its Travel Impact Mode in 2022 as a response to the pressing issue of flight emissions. This mode offers a standardized approach to measuring and displaying carbon emissions associated with air travel, providing travelers with valuable information to make informed decisions. By expanding its scope beyond accommodation sustainability, Travalyst demonstrates its commitment to fostering a more sustainable and responsible travel industry.
Travalyst’s certification initiative represents a major step forward in promoting sustainability and transparency within the travel sector. By collaborating with industry leaders and setting clear criteria for compliance, Travalyst is paving the way for a more sustainable future for travel. As the initiative continues to evolve and expand, it is poised to make a lasting impact on how sustainability is integrated into every aspect of the travel experience.