Skift Take
Intrepid, known for its small group adventures, is inching into providing accommodations with a new investment. It's also working to reduce its carbon footprint by slashing flights.
Leaders of Travel: Skift C-Suite Series
What are the top trends impacting hotels, airlines, and online bookings? We speak to the executives shaping the future of travel.
Intrepid Travel, an operator of small group tours and adventure travel, has sought to establish itself as a leader in responsible tourism. Intrepid's top boss said the company is actively involved in reducing its carbon footprint per trip while growing its business.
In an interview with Skift, Intrepid's CEO James Thornton said that the company is reducing its carbon footprint by reducing its internal on-trip flights by 4,000 this year. The company also announced a range of 40 new train itineraries this week to encourage slow travel.
The moves come against a backdrop of increasingly extreme weather. In 2023, Intrepid Travel recorded 121 more climate-related incidents than the year before. Thornton said that while it's difficult to guard against these events, the company relies on diverse offerings and destinations to pivot or adapt as needed.
The CEO also elaborated on the company's new investment in accommodation. Intrepid has already invested in three locations and plans to open at least two more. In the last two weeks, the company hired an ex-Accor brand and growth strategist to run this hospitality venture.
Carbon emis