Prince Harry lashes out at tourists as he pleas with public to save 'heart' of travel

Prince Harry has made a surprise appearance at the annual general meeting of Travalyst - an initiative he launched in 2019 with the aim of making the travel industry more sustainable.

Speaking via videocall from his Montecito mansion, the Duke of Sussex demanded action to save the "beating heart" of the travel industry while calling on tourists to look after the environment's that they visit.

He said it was crucial that the industry did better by the local communities in popular travel destinations or there risks being no tourism business at all.

Harry said: "Travel and tourism relies on destinations, held together by communities, without which we have nowhere to travel to. Communities are the beating heart of travel, and we must do better by the people who are the custodians of the places we visit."

It comes after doubts had been raised as to whether the Duke's association with the non-profit organisation would continue, after last year Travalyst announced it had entered an "incredibly exciting" era - with no mention of him. Today's video will dampen down the rumours that they had parted ways.

Harry launched Travalyst in 2019 with his wife Meghan Markle, when they were both still working members of the Royal Family.

He spent the next three years as the public face of the initiative, which aims to help travellers to cut their carbon emissions, prevent over-tourism and develop local economies.

Harry, like his father and brother, is a prominent eco-campaigner but faced accusations of hypocrisy for his work with Travalyst due to his propencity for taking gas guzzling private jets.

The Duke defended the criticism and said he only did so when he needed to ensure his family's safety. He added that "no one is perfect" and that what is important is "what we do to balance" our negative effects.