Industry leaders are committed to sustainability but need more support

Travel industry leaders remain committed to action around sustainability but require more support, according to data from Travalyst, the not-for-profit organization founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

Travalyst’s Five-Year Milestone Report includes survey data from travelers and industry leaders in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as insights on the coalition's efforts since its 2019 launch and moving forward.

The survey of travel leaders revealed that the “industry is committed to action, despite a challenging context,” the report said.

In fact, more than nine in 10 travel industry leaders said they agree that governments should ensure companies in the space report on their sustainability and environmental impact. More than seven in 10 also said that “recent backlash against environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts in some countries have had no impact on sustainability efforts within their organization.”

At the same time, however, only three in 10 said they “feel very well-equipped to deal with incoming sustainability regulations,” while six in 10 said that their decision to offer sustainable products or services will depend on consumer demand levels.

Consumers, too, said they take sustainability into account when booking travel. But while 30% of U.K. travelers and 42% of U.S. travelers with plans to travel this year said they consider the sustainability efforts of accommodation providers, only 13% and 18%, respectively, actually factored them into their decision.

What needs to be done?

From industry leaders’ perspective, sustainability could be improved with guidance and support with certifications amid new regulations, Travalyst found. One in two noted the need for assistance from an organization without a financial interest and one in three cited the need for government intervention to ensure compliance.

When it comes to accelerating progress, industry leaders also highlighted the need for collaboration and better incentives.

One in three said companies should work together on sustainability efforts and share data on effective versus ineffective approaches. The majority of respondents (nine in 10) noted that stronger incentives from the government for travel and tourism companies would be beneficial as well.

For their part, 59% of U.K. travelers and 51% of American travelers support government legislation requiring these travel companies to report their environmental impact, Travalyst found.

The Five-Year Milestone Report also outlined Travalyst's plans to bolster sustainability efforts in the coming years.

“Since our founding, we have brought together some of the world’s biggest travel and technology companies to deliver consistent, credible and compliant sustainability information at scale,” said Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst.

“Over the next five years, we will expand and future-proof our existing efforts, roll out new and impactful initiatives and support the industry to align with incoming regulations. This report outlines our plans—and the impact we aim to achieve.”