Prince Harry urges travelers to make responsible choices for sustainability
- Prince Harry releases a video emphasizing responsible travel choices on April 1, 2025.
- Significant interest exists among travelers for sustainable practices, but a gap remains between attitudes and actions.
- Travalyst aims to provide trustworthy information to help travelers make better sustainable travel decisions.
On April 1, 2025, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, released a video statement addressing the importance of sustainable travel as part of Travalyst's Five-Year Milestone Report. He emphasized that travelers play a significant role in influencing the destinations they visit, and thus, they need better information to make their travel decisions count towards fostering thriving ecosystems and communities. The U.K.-based non-profit was co-founded in 2019 to promote eco-conscious tourism and has formed partnerships with major organizations such as the World Travel and Tourism Council, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Expedia. Travalyst's report highlights the growing interest among travelers in sustainable practices in tourism; however, a gap exists between their expressed values and actual booking behaviors, referred to as the ‘say-do gap.’ For instance, research from a YouGov survey indicated that 42% of American travelers consider sustainability efforts of accommodation providers, yet only 18% actually factor sustainability into their travel booking decisions. This discrepancy demonstrates the need for empowering travelers with accessible and credible information regarding the sustainability of their travel options. Additionally, the report revealed that flight emissions information was displayed in 130 billion global searches through Travalyst's partners, showcasing a commitment to raising awareness about travel's environmental impacts. The organization, led by CEO Sally Davey, is on a mission to bridge the gap between what travelers say they value and what they do by collaborating with mainstream travel platforms. As Earth Day approaches on April 22, 2025, sustainable travel practices are becoming increasingly significant to travelers looking for meaningful experiences that also have a positive impact. This evolving trend reflects a shift in consumer preferences towards destinations that prioritize environmental protection and community support. Travalyst's efforts are essential in shaping a future where sustainability becomes the norm rather than the exception in the travel and tourism industry.