Travel Leaders Back Sustainability but Call for Greater Support

Travel industry leaders remain committed to sustainability but say they need more support to meet evolving regulations and consumer expectations, according to Travalyst’s Five-Year Milestone Report. Founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the not-for-profit coalition surveyed travel executives in the U.S. and U.K. alongside travelers to assess current sentiment and progress.

Despite global challenges, over 90% of industry leaders agree that governments should mandate sustainability reporting for travel companies. More than 70% said recent backlash against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices has not affected their internal sustainability goals.

However, only 30% of leaders feel well-prepared to navigate incoming regulations. About 60% say the decision to offer sustainable products still depends largely on consumer demand.

Among travelers, there’s interest—but limited follow-through. While 30% of U.K. travelers and 42% of U.S. travelers say they consider sustainability when planning trips, only 13% and 18%, respectively, allow it to influence booking decisions.

To accelerate sustainability, leaders pointed to key areas needing attention: better guidance on certifications, support from neutral organizations, and stronger government involvement. One-third called for greater collaboration between companies and data sharing to identify what works. Over 90% said government incentives would boost industry-wide adoption.

The report also notes that 59% of U.K. travelers and 51% of U.S. travelers support legislation requiring travel companies to disclose their environmental impact.

Travalyst CEO Sally Davey said the organization plans to scale its impact over the next five years by expanding tools, aligning with new regulations, and supporting more credible sustainability efforts across the industry.

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Travel Leaders Back Sustainability but Call for Greater Support

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