Travalyst, founded by Prince Harry of England, is making strides in the realm of accommodation sustainability certifications. Their recent announcement of 49 compliant accommodation certifications marks a significant milestone in their initiative to bring credibility and consistency to travel booking platforms.
Partnering with industry giants such as Booking.com, Google, Sabre, and Mastercard, Travalyst aims to revolutionize the way consumers make travel decisions by integrating sustainability information into mainstream platforms. They have set forth three key criteria, including the use of publicly available standards and third-party audits, to evaluate the compliance of accommodation certifications.
In response to pressure from the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, Booking.com made the decision to discontinue its “Travel Sustainable” badge and shift its focus towards prioritizing third-party certification schemes. This move underscores the company’s commitment to ensuring that sustainable options are not only accessible but also trustworthy and easy to understand for consumers.
Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, acknowledges the challenges faced by both consumers and accommodation providers in navigating the myriad of sustainability certification bodies globally. By creating a free and open certification initiative, Travalyst is paving the way for a more streamlined process that benefits all stakeholders involved.
Leading Certification Providers
Among the first tranche of compliant certification providers are Sustonica, WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics, and Green Globe Certification. These organizations have met Travalyst’s rigorous sustainability criteria, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility within the accommodation sector.
Looking Towards the Future
In 2022, Travalyst introduced its Travel Impact Mode, which focuses on addressing flight emissions through a standardized framework for measuring and displaying carbon emissions. This innovative approach highlights Travalyst’s dedication to fostering sustainability throughout the entire travel industry.
Travalyst’s efforts to streamline accommodation sustainability certifications are commendable. By collaborating with industry leaders, setting stringent criteria, and providing an open platform for certification providers, Travalyst is driving positive change in the way sustainability is integrated into the travel sector. With continued innovation and commitment, Travalyst is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of sustainable travel.
Leave a Reply