Travalyst, the not-for-profit organization founded by Prince Harry, recently announced the first batch of sustainable accommodation certifications that meet their criteria. This development marks a significant milestone in Travalyst’s mission to strengthen credibility and ensure consistency in the display of certifications on travel booking platforms.
Established in 2019, Travalyst aims to educate consumers about sustainable travel options by mainstreaming information on sustainability. The organization’s partners, which include Booking.com, Google, Sabre, and Mastercard, play a crucial role in promoting sustainable accommodation choices to travelers.
The certification process faces challenges, as highlighted by Sally Davey, Travalyst’s CEO. With a multitude of certification bodies worldwide focusing on sustainability in the accommodation sector, the process can be overwhelming and confusing for both travelers and accommodation providers. Travalyst’s initiative seeks to streamline and simplify this process for all stakeholders involved.
Booking.com, a key partner of Travalyst, recently made changes to its sustainability initiatives by discontinuing its “Travel Sustainable” badge. Instead, the platform will prioritize third-party certification schemes to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of sustainable accommodation options. This shift aligns with the organization’s goal of making sustainable choices more accessible and transparent to consumers.
Travalyst’s certification initiative is open to all accommodation certification providers, free of charge. The list of compliant certifications includes reputable organizations such as Sustonica, WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics, and Green Globe Certification. By encouraging more providers to participate, Travalyst is paving the way for a wider range of sustainable accommodation options for travelers worldwide.
In 2022, Travalyst introduced its Travel Impact Mode to tackle flight emissions. This new feature offers a standardized method for collecting and displaying carbon emissions data, providing travelers with greater transparency and awareness of the environmental impact of their flights. By incorporating this initiative, Travalyst continues to lead the way in promoting sustainability in the travel industry.
Overall, the establishment of sustainable accommodation certifications is a crucial step towards creating a more eco-conscious and responsible travel industry. Through collaboration with key partners and a commitment to transparency, Travalyst is driving positive change and empowering consumers to make informed and sustainable travel choices.