Darin Graham

Darin Graham is an award-wining climate journalist covering the travel industry for Skift. He reports on how airlines, hotels, and tourism businesses are responding to the climate change – from the innovations and technologies respawning the industry to greenwashing allegations and business risk.

Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton at the Skift Global Forum in New York.

Tourism

Intrepid Travel CEO: How to Pair Sustainability With Profit

Intrepid is betting that sustainability and profitability are not in conflict but increasingly intertwined. Its challenge now lies in scaling that message, especially in the U.S., while holding onto the values that set it apart.

Darin Graham | 10 months ago

Steve Hafner, Kayak CEO at the Skift Global Forum in New York.

Travel Technology

Kayak Plans to Launch Natural Language Search in Two Weeks, CEO Says

For now, Kayak’s challenge is less about technology than traveler behavior: convincing consumers to trust a conversational AI to handle bookings, and not just fall back on the familiar search box.

Darin Graham | 10 months ago

Travel Technology

Sabre Sustainability Execs Depart in Restructuring

The loss of Sabre’s standalone sustainability team raises questions about how it will manage climate commitments going forward.

Darin Graham | 10 months ago

Cruises

Cruise Ads Pulled in UK for Misleading ‘Green’ Promises

The rulings underscore growing pressure on travel marketers to back up climate claims. LNG may reduce certain pollutants compared with heavy fuel oil, but it doesn’t make a cruise “green” on its own.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago

Tourism

Copenhagen Turns Sustainability Into a Tourist Perk – More Than 100 Cities Are Watching

Every destination is different, but Copenhagen’s CopenPay could offer a blueprint for places that want to drive climate goals as well as revenue.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago

Tourism

Can Sweden Remain a Summer Refuge as Extreme Heatwaves Spread North?

For travel businesses, the opportunity lies in promoting nature and outdoor activities while preparing for long-term climate risks that could reshape demand.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago

Tourism

Would You Trade Flying for Extra Time Off? These Companies Offer ‘Slow Travel’ Incentives

For companies in the sustainable travel ecosystem, extra time off for skipping flights is more than an HR perk. It could become a lever for growing demand in slow travel.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago

Travel Agents

Travalyst CEO Sally Davey Steps Down After 5 Years

Travalyst has built a rare coalition of big-name travel companies working directly together on climate change issues. The challenge now is whether the group can sustain its momentum and broaden its impact.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago

Hotels

COP30: How Soaring Hotel Prices Could Keep Vulnerable Countries Out of Global Climate Talks

COP30’s accommodation crunch highlights the risks destinations face when demand far outstrips supply, offering a cautionary lesson for host cities on balancing market forces, reputation, and the need for inclusive participation.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago

Airlines

Planes vs. Trains: UK Rail Fare Hikes Could Derail Climate Goals

Across Europe, governments are pushing travelers to choose trains over planes — but when rail tickets cost far more than budget airline seats, that’s a tough sell.

Darin Graham | 11 months ago