'It's crucial that we strive to do better': Prince Harry makes surprise video ... trends now
Prince Harry has made a surprise appearance by video link at the annual general meeting of eco-tourism firm Travalyst.
The Duke of Sussex, who is the company's founder, made a virtual appearance at the meeting from his home in Montecito, California, where he told bosses it was crucial the travel industry did better by local communities in vacation destinations.
He told the board: 'Travel and tourism relies on destinations, held together by communities, without which we have nowhere to travel to," said Harry, who appeared by videolink from his home in California.
'Communities are the beating heart of travel, and we must do better by the people who are the custodians of the places we visit.'
Harry launched the independent non-profit organisation based in London in 2019, when he was still a working royal, with wife Meghan Markle.
He spent three years as the public face of the initiative to encourage the tourism industry to become more sustainable - despite a furore over his use of private jets
It comes after rumours circulated last year the Prince had relinquished his role with Travalyst after the company it had entered an 'incredibly exciting' era with no mention of the royal.
Prince Harry made a surprise appearance by video link at the annual general meeting of eco-tourism firm Travalyst
Prince Harry addresses an audience after the launch of Travalyst in Amsterdam in September 2019
The Travalyst scheme, an independent non-profit body backed by major tourism industry companies including Google, Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, aims to help travellers to cut their carbon emissions, prevent over-tourism and develop local economies.
Like his father, who has spoken out for more than 50 years on issues such as sustainability and climate change, Harry has also been a vocal champion of environmental causes.
However, he and his wife Meghan have faced accusations of hypocrisy for taking private jets to attend engagements. The prince has previously said he only did so occasionally or in certain circumstances where he needed to keep his family safe, and that he always offsets his carbon dioxide
