London, 10 June 2025: Travalyst, the not-for-profit coalition of some of the biggest names in travel and technology founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, today announces the appointment of Patricia ‘Pat’ Dwyer as the new Chair of its Independent Advisory Group (IAG).
Travalyst’s IAG is made up of world-leading sustainability experts, academics, practitioners and professionals that provide independent and critical analysis of the work developed and delivered by the coalition, ensuring it is credible and industry-leading.
Dwyer is the Founder of The Purpose Business, Asia’s leading sustainability and leadership advisory network. She brings with her more than 25 years of experience helping global companies embed sustainability into their operations. An executive mentor to leaders in transition and a gender equality ambassador in Asia, she is also Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Here she serves as Faculty and contributor to Executive Education programmes, and advises leaders and organisations navigating the transition to sustainable business models and impact-led governance.
Dwyer’s career began in environmental and community-based charities, before she assumed pioneering leadership roles in sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region. At Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, she served as the group’s first Global Head of CSR and Sustainability. Under her leadership, the company became the first Asian hotel chain recognised in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and was a pioneer in banning shark’s fin from service. She has spearheaded initiatives from sustainable sourcing and building design to coral conservation in the Pacific, panda rehabilitation in Chengdu, and marine protection projects across Asia and the Middle East.
Pat Dwyer shares, “I am honoured to have been appointed as Chair of Travalyst’s Independent Advisory Group, home to the leading lights in truly sustainable travel.
It’s an especially exciting time to be joining this exceptional team who drive change through genuine industry collaboration. Harnessing the power of travel, while protecting the people and places we depend on, has never been more critical – and I cannot wait to get started!”
Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Pat as Chair of Travalyst’s Independent Advisory Group. Her rare blend of deep regional insight, strategic leadership and practical impact on sustainability issues makes her uniquely suited to the role. Pat’s approach to purpose-led transformation resonates strongly with our mission. She brings clarity, humility and depth of thinking to the table and we’re excited to work with her as we continue to challenge the travel industry to do better, together.”
Travalyst warmly thanks Dr Anna Spenceley, FRGS, for her outstanding leadership as the outgoing Chair of the IAG. Spenceley has been instrumental in guiding the work of the coalition in recent years. Travalyst further acknowledges the valuable contributions of Sarah Holloway, former Vice Chair, whose expertise in sustainability leadership helped shape the group’s early direction, and Marten Dresen, founder and CEO of Good Hotel, whose insights brought a unique social entrepreneurship lens to the IAG. We are deeply grateful for their time, wisdom and commitment.
Dwyer’s appointment comes at a time of continued growth and global momentum for Travalyst, as it builds on its commitment to scaling trusted sustainability information to empower better decision-making and accelerate change across travel and tourism.
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Notes to Editors
About Travalyst’s Independent Advisory Group:
Travalyst’s Independent Advisory Group (IAG) is made up of world-leading travel and sustainability experts. The advisory group helps ensure that initiatives put forward by Travalyst are credible, scalable and impactful. Its members are:
More information can be found at www.travalyst.org/about/independent-advisory-group/
About Travalyst:
Travalyst is an independent not-for-profit entity working to change the way the world travels – for good. Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a global coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology: Amadeus, BCD, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Mastercard, Sabre, Skyscanner, The Travel Corporation, Travelport, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and Visa. Travalyst mobilises the industry to provide trusted information at scale to empower better decision making and accelerate impact-led change.
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