Amid the controversy that hounded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for using a private jet for their holiday trips last summer, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are launching their latest initiative which has to do with eco-friendly travel options.
Travalyst, the newest program from the Sussex Royal Foundation, aims to raise awareness on the benefits of traveling sustainably. It aims to address the growing demands of going on trips while communities benefit, and the environment and wildlife remain protected.
Prince Harry emphasized that travel can be a catalyst for change. It can help to boost tourism while sustainable practices to protect the resources Earth are applied, highlighting balance.
"As tourism inevitably grows, it is critically important to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices worldwide, and to balance this growth with the needs of the environment and the local population," Prince Harry said.
According to The Guardian, Prince Harry had been planning on this initiative for the last two years with five big companies as collaborators -- Booking.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, TripAdvisor, and Visa. In launching Travalyst, Prince Harry flew a commercial plane to Amsterdam to speak with the partners. He also finally addressed the private jet controversy that has shed a bad light on him and Duchess Meghan.
Prince Harry said that he's been traveling commercial 99 percent of the time. However, he made some exceptions over the summer for the safety of his family.
"Occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe," the Duke of Sussex said.
Criticisms over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's use of private jets erupted in late July after Prince Harry used this to attend the climate change summit in Sicily. The couple also issued a statement on their Instagram that stated, "every choice, every footprint, every action makes a difference."
In August, the Sussex royals at least four trips to London, Spain, and France for the holiday. The move inflamed critics to attack Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan and brand them as hypocrites. The criticisms prompted celebrities like Elton John, Ellen DeGeneres, and Pink to defend Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan.
Meanwhile, it's too early to tell if the public and the critics will acknowledge Prince Harry's efforts with Travalyst. The duke himself said that he's not perfect and indeed he could do better to create less impact in the environment.
Reports stated that Sunshine Sachs, the PR firm, has been hired by the Sussex Royal Foundation to help with the launch of Travalyst. Critics believe, however, that the company may also be hired to overhaul the image of the Sussex couple.
