Venue tours usually include information on sustainability certifications. Sometimes, even information on the number of saved kilowatts and gallons. While the numbers are fascinating, they are hard to make sense of and put into perspective. This challenge highlights the need to make sustainable travel info accessible.
Event professionals may sift through numerous random search results when comparing the sustainability credentials of destinations and venues. The various certifications with tiered grading systems are rarely comparable, even for the experts. As the demand for sustainability continues to push forward, there is a need for a more streamlined system to sift through the confusion.
Sustainability Info Streamlined
Travalyst has set out to drive consistency in displaying information on sustainability to the public across its partners’ platforms. Travalyst has partnered with Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Skyscanner, Travelport, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and Visa. The company measures numerous areas of sustainability impact, including water, waste, energy, biodiversity and local communities.
“People want to travel more sustainably, but that all starts with having clear, consistent and credible information to enable them to make better choices,” according to a spokesperson. Travalyst cites a 2022 study conducted by Expedia, noting seven in ten travelers feel overwhelmed in attempting to make more sustainable choices.
England’s Prince Harry launched the organization in 2019 with the goal of bringing sustainability information to the mainstream. The company’s strategy also includes scaling sustainability certification info alignment across the wider industry.
“There are over 100 tourism certification bodies globally that focus on sustainability within the accommodation sector,” they added. “So by ensuring they adhere to our criteria in order to be displayed on our partner platforms, we can improve the consistency and credibility of sustainability information in the accommodation sector.”
Criteria for Sustainability
Ratings devised by Travalyst will not rely on rating certification bodies such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Rather, acknowledge certification bodies based on a set of criteria.
“The criteria has been independently validated by our Independent Advisory Group to ensure rigor and independence,” according to their spokesperson. The Travalyst Independent Advisory Group comprises seven sustainability experts from various fields.
Data collected by the Global Sustainability Tourism Council (GSTC) forms the basis of the criteria used by Travalyst. Data collected from accommodation providers by the Travalyst partner coalition must fall within specific criteria for certification.
“The data can then be displayed as sustainability information, allowing consumers to make more informed choices when looking for more sustainable options,” according to the spokesperson. Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable Badge was the first use of Travalyst data in 2021.
Travalyst Funding Model
Travalyst’s roster of partners boasts a market share valued at $1.88 trillion. The not-for-profit uses a hybrid funding model. This consists of “partner fees and philanthropic funding,” ultimately making sustainable travel information accessible.