• Travalyst’s certifications initiative reaches its second iteration; in which it will provide an open-access list of sustainability certification schemes that self-declare their compliance with this new regulation, helping stakeholders navigate regulatory requirements.
  • By adopting EU regulation criteria in a global context, Travalyst aims to scale a consistent threshold for certification schemes.
  • Developed in collaboration with coalition partners and extensive industry stakeholder consultation, this second iteration answers industry calls for a mechanism that identifies schemes that declare their compliance with incoming regulation; and are therefore suitable for display on booking platforms in the EU.

Travalyst, the independent not-for-profit coalition of leading travel and technology companies founded by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, today announces the second iteration of its certifications initiative. The updated initiative will help certification schemes, accommodation providers, and booking platforms navigate the criteria set out in the impending EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGT).

The world of sustainability certifications for accommodation has long been complex, with varying rigour throughout. This has created challenges for certification schemes, accommodation providers and platforms seeking to distribute and display clear and compliant sustainability schemes and labels to consumers.

The ECGT, which will apply in the EU in September 2026, aims to boost sustainable consumption across all industries by fighting misleading claims and improving product information through mandatory governance, transparency, and verification requirements.

The difference between iterations

The first iteration of Travalyst’s certifications initiative launched in spring 2024. It focused on reviewing accommodation sustainability certifications, standards, and schemes against a set of Travalyst-defined criteria for good governance, and was designed to be a first step in increasing transparency globally.

As a result of a six-month internal and external stakeholder consultation in 2025, for the second iteration of the initiative, Travalyst is supporting relevant industry stakeholders* to prepare for the requirements of the ECGT before its implementation by providing a mechanism for schemes to declare their compliance with the regulation. The initiative also offers a guidance note prepared by legal counsel for certification schemes of all sizes, preparing for this regulation.

Travalyst partners and wider industry will gain visibility over which certification schemes have declared suitability to be displayed to European consumers, and accommodation providers will gain clarity on which schemes comply with governance and transparency requirements.

Travalyst will, in time, provide an open-access list of schemes that have declared compliance, hosted on its centralised Data Hub.

Setting out clear guidance

Although EU regulation, by adopting the ECGT criteria in a global context, Travalyst aims to scale a consistent threshold of good governance for certification schemes across regions and markets, reducing fragmentation and improving comparability.

Travalyst will also introduce additional transparency by categorising certifications with third-party auditing and accreditation.

Our initiative forges clarity and confidence in certification as a robust way of displaying to the consumer sustainability efforts by accommodation providers. As we prepare for tighter regulation, by establishing a shared, transparent reference point for the sector to clearly see which schemes are committed to regulatory compliance, we help the industry deliver trustworthy, consistent information to travellers worldwide. Julie Cheetham, CEO of Travalyst
At Booking Holdings, we are committed to making it easier for travellers to make more sustainable travel choices. Further to that, we have always believed that reputable third-party certifications represent the highest standard when it comes to highlighting efforts by accommodations to operate more sustainably. Travalyst's updated list of certifications which have declared themselves compliant with the ECGT is a positive step towards greater clarity for travellers. Kate Heiny, VP Sustainability Booking Holdings
We welcome this new iteration of the Travalyst certifications initiative. By clarifying how accommodation certifications align with forthcoming ECGT regulations, it strengthens the reliability of sustainability information available to travellers, travel managers and corporate travel teams. Developed through broad stakeholder engagement, this update represents an important step toward greater transparency across the sector. Olivia Ruggles-Brise, Vice President of Sustainability at BCD Travel

Certification schemes are invited to submit their self-assessment via travalyst.org/work/certifications-initiative.

*Stakeholders include accommodations, certifications and booking platforms.

Travalyst is sharing an open invitation to learn more about the Certifications initiative on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 2pm GMT / 3pm CET / 9am EST - register here: https://bit.ly/4btQdxL