Prince Harry has hailed the work of his sustainable tourism initiative in a new video released today, as the row over his charity Sentebale continues to escalate.
The Duke of Sussex set up Travalyst in 2019 with the stated aim of helping travellers cut their carbon emissions, prevent over-tourism and develop local economies.
A ‘Five Year Milestone Report’ was released today along with a video in which Harry claimed not enough progress was being made towards sustainable goals.
But the Duke – who has previously faced criticism for his use of private jets while campaigning on environmental matters – made no mention of the Sentebale crisis.
During the two-minute clip, filmed at Harry’s £12million mansion in Montecito, he said: ‘These realities leave us with a choice – find practical solutions to climate change, or accept the massive financial and human losses that it’s causing.
Harry added that there was a simple goal for Travalyst, which is backed by major global companies including Google, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and Expedia.
He said: ‘I wanted to harness travel’s power and potential to help create a more resilient world, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished.
‘We’re bringing sustainable solutions to the mainstream, providing travellers with clear information that helps them make better and more informed choices, which is what we know consumers want.’
Prince Harry hails the work of his sustainable tourism initiative Travalyst in a new video today
A ‘Five Year Milestone Report’ was released by Travalyst today along with the video by Harry
In a foreword to the report, Harry also highlighted tourists’ power to drive change, saying: ‘Last year saw a staggering 1.4billion international tourist arrivals globally.
‘As more people travel, they have huge potential to drive inclusive growth in the destinations they visit.
‘But they must be empowered with the information they need to make those trips count, ensuring that their travel plans – and spending – contribute to creating thriving ecosystems and prospering communities.’
Travalyst said research it commissioned from YouGov demonstrated that travellers are not yet taking action at a level needed to ‘deliver impact at scale’.
Of those who have travel plans for this year, 30 per cent of UK travellers and 42 per cent of American travellers considered accommodation providers’ sustainability efforts.
However, only 13 per cent of UK travellers and 18 per cent of American travellers factored this into their decisions.
Sally Davey, chief executive of Travalyst, said: ‘The vast majority of people are aware of the impact travel has and want to know how they can continue to explore the world in ways that don’t destroy the environment.
‘We have an opportunity to rise to this moment and demonstrate what it looks like when an entire industry joins together to do things differently.’
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso arrive for a visit in Matlameng in the Leribe region with Sentebale in October last year
Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry at a children’s centre in Lesotho in October 2024
Dr Sophie Chandauka stands between Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry, with Sentebale chief executive Richard Miller on the right after a charity polo tournament in Florida in April 2024
However, the report’s release has been overshadowed by a dispute between Sentebale chairwoman Sophie Chandauka and the charity’s co-founder Harry, who quit as its patron last week amid a boardroom battle.
The Duke has been accused of sending an ‘unpleasant’ and ‘imperious’ message to Dr Chandauka after she failed to publicly quash rumours of a rift with his wife Meghan Markle.
Ms Chandauka has also alleged Harry tried to ‘eject’ her through ‘bullying’ and ‘harassment’, while a source close to former trustees and patrons of Sentebale dismissed her comments at the weekend as a ‘publicity stunt’.
During the prize-giving ceremony at a Sentebale fundraising polo match in Florida last April, Meghan appeared to choreograph who stood next to Harry, and in an awkward moment Dr Chandauka moved from beside the duke to Meghan’s side ducking under the trophy.
A member of Harry’s team allegedly asked Ms Chandauka to issue a statement to quash any rumours about tensions with Meghan, but when she refused the duke reportedly contacted her directly.
It was claimed that Harry demanded she ‘explain herself’, with sources suggesting the note was ‘unpleasant’ in tone and used ‘imperious’ language.
Prince Harry at a fifth anniversary event for Travalyst in New York on September 24, 2024
Prince Harry launches the Travalyst scheme at A’dam Tower in Amsterdam in September 2019
Prince Harry founded Sentebale in honour of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children and young people in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids.
But several trustees have left the organisation in a dispute with Dr Chandauka, having requested her resignation.
According to The Times, the dispute arose over a decision to focus fundraising in Africa – although a source close to Harry has denied this.
Former trustees Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer – a mentor and close friend to Harry – Audrey Kgosidintsi, Kelello Lerotholi and Damian West said their decision to resign was ‘devastating’ but was the ‘result of our loss in trust and confidence in the chair of the board’.
A source close to the trustees and patrons described Ms Chandauka’s interviews as a ‘publicity stunt’, adding: ‘They remain firm in their resignation, for the good of the charity, and look forward to the adjudication of the truth.’
In a joint statement issued last week Harry and Prince Seeiso backed the departing trustees and stepped back as patrons until further notice, saying it was ‘devastating’ that the relationship between Sentebale’s trustees and chairwoman of the board ‘broke down beyond repair’.