Prince Harry’s sustainable travel organisation, Travalyst, has been shortlisted for the Skift IDEA Awards 2026, competing in the Travel Technology and Sustainability Tech categories.
The Skift IDEA Awards are the travel industry’s leading global awards honouring achievements in design, creativity, and innovation. The nomination for Harry’s company was confirmed on Monday evening.
The Duke of Sussex established the not-for-profit venture in 2019 to encourage more environmentally responsible tourism.
This year’s awards attracted a significant number of applicants from across the globe.
Prince Harry’s sustainable travel organisation, Travalyst, has been shortlisted for the Skift IDEA Awards 2026, competing in the Travel Technology and Sustainability Tech categories
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PA
Travalyst responded to the announcement with enthusiasm, stating: “We’re excited to announce that we’ve been shortlisted as a finalist in the Skift IDEA Awards 2026! Over 490 entries were submitted from around the world this year.”
The recognition marks the latest in a series of accolades for the organisation, though it continues to attract scrutiny for other reasons.
The Sussexes have long faced accusations of hypocrisy over their regular use of private jets, given Harry’s role at the helm of an eco-focused travel initiative.
The couple infamously took four private jet trips within just 11 days during the same year Travalyst was launched.
The Duke of Sussex founded the not-for-profit, environmentally friendly travel company Travalyst in 2019
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PAAddressing the backlash during a speech in Amsterdam at the time, the duke insisted: “I spend 99 per cent of my life travelling the world by commercial.
“Occasionally, there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe.”
He also conceded that “no one is perfect” and maintained that everyone has a responsibility to improve their approach to environmental challenges.
Those remarks have since come under renewed scrutiny following changes to the Travalyst board.
Harry and Meghan have received criticism over their use of private planes | PA
Last month, Travalyst appointed Graham Miller as a new director, a figure whose past comments have drawn attention.
In 2020, while serving as a lecturer at the University of Surrey, Mr Miller drew a pointed comparison between frequent flyers and drink-drivers.
He remarked: “There was a time when mentioning on a Monday that you’d just flown back from Milan or New York made you sound sophisticated. Now it’s like boasting that you drank five pints and drove home.”
His appointment has prompted fresh questions about the tension between the organisation’s environmental messaging and the Sussexes’ own travel habits.
Three further members joined the board alongside Mr Miller: Eva Barboni, Liz Ortiguera and R. Todd Ruppert.
Meanwhile, Clea Kaske-Kuck and Dr Sally Uren both departed the organisation.
The award nomination came shortly after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made an unexpected joint appearance in Canada.
The couple attended the David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary Celebration, held in Victoria, British Columbia.