
Intrepid Travel is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel that has been taking travellers to discover the world’s most amazing places for more than 30 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel. The company offers more than 1,150 trips on every continent and every is designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of destination management companies in 23 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally renowned as a leader in responsible travel, in 2018 the carbon-neutral business became the world’s largest travel company to be certified B-Corp. Intrepid Travel is the only global tour operator with verified science-based carbon reduction targets and its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised more than $11 million for more than 130 charities around the world.
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29 Aug 23
NEWS
Intrepid Travel acquires Australia ecolodgeIntrepid Travel has acquired the 15-room, four-star boutique rainforest retreat, Daintree Ecolodge in Tropical North Queensland. It paid ...Read moreIntrepid Travel acquires Australia ecolodge - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel has acquired the 15-room, four-star boutique rainforest retreat, Daintree Ecolodge in Tropical North Queensland. It paid £2.5 million to Morris Group and is its first lodge property purchase. "As we diversify our offering, this new acquisition will play a key role in our evolution towards an iconic lifestyle brand," says CEO James Thornton. The Daintree property is situated in a rainforest and features a restaurant and bar, day spa, natural waterfall and walking track. It offers Lagoon, Canopy and Rainforest rooms. Local activities for guests include guided rainforest walks by the local Kuku Yalanji people. Dating back 135 million years Daintree is the world's oldest tropical lowland rainforest. Last year, Intrepid Travel took a 50% stake in off-grid accommodation company CABN, which has 27 properties across South Australia. " Daintree Ecolodge will allow us to connect with a new market of customers and grow our brand," added Thornton. The lodge is approximately 90-minutes' drive from Cairns International Airport. It is also 40-minutes from Port Douglas for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Intrepid Travel already operates various multi-day tours in the Daintree area. It includes a five-day Queensland Daintree Explorer tour, 12-day Brisbane to the Daintree Discovery and the 18-day East Coast Encompassed. "This acquisition marks the next chapter in the Intrepid story, as we expand into the accommodation sector,” said Thornton. -
24 Aug 23
NEWS
Intrepid, Flight Centre join forces to fight modern slaveryIntrepid Travel has launched a new travel consortium in partnership with Flight Centre. It is the ...Read moreIntrepid, Flight Centre join forces to fight modern slavery - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel has launched a new travel consortium in partnership with Flight Centre. It is the first major collaboration aimed at addressing modern slavery supply chain risks across the tourism industry. Walk Free, an international human rights group reported modern slavery impacted an estimated 50 million people in 2022. Supply chains continue to present a great risk due to lack of transparency and access to resources, they say. Intrepid has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to modern slavery in its own operations, and is taking this a step further. With many shared suppliers, Intrepid and Flight Centre have established a joint effort to make a positive change. The new consortium, established through the Informed365 platform, will engage with major suppliers, through an annual, online assessment to identify risks. They will provide the support and tools so suppliers can improve their own practices and those of their own supply chain. Industry suppliers will only need to complete the survey once, and can elect for it to be shared with other business partners. They have begun to roll out these surveys and tools to their suppliers globally. They are now actively encouraging other businesses to join the consortium to eliminate modern slavery in tourism. "For so long businesses in every industry have ignored or fallen short of addressing the risks of modern slavery," said Sara King, GM of Purpose for Intrepid Travel. "We hope the tourism industry can lead this change in mindset for businesses everywhere”. The travel consortium is open to all travel companies around the world that have reporting obligations related to modern slavery, whether they are legislated or voluntary. -
18 Jul 23
Partner News
Intrepid Expands Morocco Range With Four New Trips And Several New Experiences For 2024Intrepid Continues to Support the Rise of Responsible Tourism in Morocco Intrepid Travel, ...Read moreIntrepid Expands Morocco Range With Four New Trips And Several New Experiences For 2024 - News & announcementsIntrepid Continues to Support the Rise of Responsible Tourism in Morocco
Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest B-Corp-certified travel company, is introducing four brand-new trips in Morocco for 2024. Intrepid's Morocco tours have seen significant growth since the pandemic and the country is now one of its top-selling destinations globally. Intrepid has partnered with the Moroccan National Tourism Office to expand the potential of tourism in the country. The three-year partnership aims to increase the number of visitors in the country to 50,000 each year by 2026. With 73 local team members based in Intrepid’s Marrakech office and over 2000 departures in the country per year, Intrepid is one of the leading tour operators to the country. The four brand-new trips include a rare venture through Morocco’s best kept secret, the Happy Valley, otherwise known as the Ait Bougmez region of the High Atlas Mountains. Traversing the country’s third-largest peak by foot, travellers on Intrepid’s Trekking in Morocco Happy Valley in High Atlas (NEW 8-Day Trip from £845pp) will explore cascading waterfalls, ancient ruins and lush vegetation, stopping for homecooked meals in rural villages while learning about the rich history of the Amazigh people, the community that inspired the name “Happy Valley”. Other New Trips Include:- Classic Morocco (NEW 8-Day Trip from £950pp)
- One Week in Morocco: Sahara & Atlas Mountains (NEW 8-Day Trip from £505pp)
- Mt. Toubkal Long Weekend Trek (NEW 5-Day Trip from £400pp)
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10 May 22
NEWS
Intrepid Travel invests in CABNIntrepid Travel will buy a AUD7.85 million equity stake in accommodation platform CABN. The investment ...Read moreIntrepid Travel invests in CABN - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel will buy a AUD7.85 million equity stake in accommodation platform CABN. The investment will help deliver more than 70 off-grid, sustainable cabins across Australia by 2023. CABN’s current experiences include 11 minimalist escapes in some of Australia’s most stunning locations. Each cabin is built from predominantly locally sourced and sustainable materials. Their unique design allows guests to immerse themselves in nature. Intrepid Travel’s investment will allow CABN to keep up with with an expected increase of annual room nights from 4,000 to 26,000 across Australia. “There is clear alignment across our shared commitment to sustainability, the environment and Indigenous culture,” said Michael Lamprell, CEO of CABN. The launch of multi-cabin retreat projects across Australia is planned for the future. This includes the recently announced CABN site with the Hans Heysen Foundation at the Cedars in Hahndorf, South Australia, and the Myponga Reservoir project. The partnership between the two Australian-based companies will allow for an increase in the vertical integration of Intrepid’s business. CABN will continue to be run by Michael Lamprell in partnership with Intrepid. -
10 May 22
Partner News
Intrepid Travel Invests $7.85 Million In Cabn To Expand Off Grid Experiences In AustraliaIntrepid Travel and CABN have announced a partnership which will see Intrepid Travel invest ...Read moreIntrepid Travel Invests $7.85 Million In Cabn To Expand Off Grid Experiences In Australia - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel and CABN have announced a partnership which will see Intrepid Travel invest a AUD $7.85 million equity stake, to accelerate growth plans to deliver more than 70 off-grid, sustainable cabins across Australia by 2023. CABN’s current experiences include 11 cosy minimalist escapes in some of Australia’s most stunning locations. Each cabin is built from predominantly locally sourced and sustainable materials and requires minimal infrastructure with a ‘leave no trace’ philosophy. Their unique design allows guests to immerse themselves in nature and disconnect from everyday life. During COVID-19 and with borders closed CABN still enjoyed a high average occupancy rate of over 90% and this is expected to increase as consumers continue to embrace sustainable travel. Intrepid Travel’s investment will allow CABN to keep up with the increasing demand, with an expected increase of annual room nights from 4,000 to 26,000 across Australia. Michael Lamprell, Founder and CEO of CABN, said the partnership with Intrepid Travel will accelerate CABN’s growth. “We are incredibly pleased we have found the right partner to take CABN forward. There is clear alignment across our shared commitment to sustainability, the environment and Indigenous culture. Intrepid Travel have extensive experience in the sustainable travel space, and this partnership will allow greater opportunity to expand our off-grid accommodation and experiences.” The launch of multi-cabin retreat style projects across Australia is planned for the future, including the recently announced CABN site in collaboration with the Hans Heysen Foundation at the Cedars in Hahndorf, South Australia, the Myponga Reservoir project and along the enhanced iconic Cooloola Great Walk departing Noosa in the Fraser Coast Region. “CABN’s offering and business model aligns perfectly with our move into the accommodation vertical and is a natural fit within our vision to grow as a purpose-led adventure travel company,” said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel. “We know the CABN product is of particular interest, not only to our existing customer base, but to the growing market of travellers worldwide seeking out authentic and sustainable travel experiences.” The partnership between the two Australian-based companies will allow for an increase in the vertical integration of Intrepid’s business, with future plans to include CABN sites as featured accommodation in a number of the tour operator’s trips. CABN will continue to be run by Michael Lamprell in partnership with Intrepid. Further terms of the deal were not disclosed. -
14 Apr 22
NEWS
Intrepid Travel relaunches food trips with a plant-based focusIntrepid has relaunched its new plant-based Focus Food Adventures tour programme. The 21 tours have ...Read moreIntrepid Travel relaunches food trips with a plant-based focus - News & announcementsIntrepid has relaunched its new plant-based Focus Food Adventures tour programme. The 21 tours have been revamped to include a new plant-based experiences on every itinerary. The Real Food Adventures were originally launched in 2013 with six trips designed to give foodies a culinary experience focused on grassroots cuisines and culture. After a pandemic-induced pause, the reintroduced range features 21 tours including longstanding favourites like Mexico, India and Vietnam as well as newer itineraries in South Korea, The Balkans and Israel and Palestine. New for 2022 is a selection of plant-based experiences that were curated to promote less carbon-intensive eating habits. While the tours will still feature signature meals with traditional meat and fish dishes, the trips have been designed to show the importance of balance towards a more climate-friendly lifestyle. Highlights of the reintroduced Real Food Adventures and 21 plant-based focus experiences include: South Korea Real Food Adventure Travellers will visit South Korea’s slow food capital in Jeonju, seafood in Busan and experience the Gwangang Market in Seoul, famously featured in the Netflix series ‘Street Food’. Plant-based experience: On Day 4 travellers will immerse in monastic life during a temple stay in Gyeongju, which includes a plant-based dinner with chanting meditation and martial arts class. Vietnam Real Food Adventure Travellers experience Vietnam’s cuisine and its place within the culture,from pho and ancient buildings in Hanoi, and banh khoai and imperial citadels in Hue. Plant-based experience: On Day 5 after a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River, travellers will enjoy a special lunch stop for a plant-based Buddhist meal at a pagoda. -
14 Apr 22
Partner News
Intrepid Travel Relaunches Food Trips With A Focus On Plant-Based ExperiencesIntrepid’s popular Real Food Adventures range is back with 21 trips and 21 new ...Read moreIntrepid Travel Relaunches Food Trips With A Focus On Plant-Based Experiences - News & announcementsIntrepid’s popular Real Food Adventures range is back with 21 trips and 21 new plant-based experiences that are big on flavour and low on impact. The relaunch is part of Intrepid’s ongoing effort to rebuild responsibly and encourage travellers to take simple but significant steps towards a climate-conscious future
Intrepid Travel – the B Corp certified world-leader in responsible travel – has relaunched its Real Food Adventures tour range. The 21 tours have been revamped to include a new plant-based experience on every itinerary, part of Intrepid’s ongoing commitment to decarbonise its business and inform a more climate-conscious future for travel. “Plant-based diets are a major opportunity for mitigating and adapting to climate change,” said Intrepid’s Global Environmental Impact Manager, Susanne Etti. “Plant-based foods generally have a much lower carbon footprint than animal-based foods. As Intrepid continues to innovate in ways that promote and support sustainability, including a delicious meal that showcases local fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds is just one way that we are investing in the health of our planet,” she added. Intrepid’s Real Food Adventures were originally launched in 2013 with six trips designed to give foodies a culinary experience focused on grassroots cuisines and culture. After a pandemic-induced hiatus, today, the reintroduced range features 21 tours including longstanding favourites like Mexico, India and Vietnam as well as newer itineraries in South Korea, The Balkans and Israel & Palestine. New for 2022 is a selection of 21 plant-based experiences that were curated to promote less carbon-intensive eating habits and to show travellers how easy it is to make climate-conscious decisions in everyday life. While the tours will still feature signature meals with traditional meat and fish dishes, the trips have been designed to show the importance of balance and moderation when it comes to making small but significant changes towards a more climate-friendly lifestyle. Highlights of the reintroduced Real Food Adventures and 21 plant-based experiences include:- South Korea Real Food Adventure (8 days from £2,035pp)
- Italy Real Food Adventure (8 days from £1,855pp)
- Japan Real Food Adventure (12 days from £3,920pp)
- Mexico Food Adventure (9 days from £1,115pp)
- Vietnam Real Food Adventure (12 days from £1,460pp)
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16 Mar 22
NEWS
Intrepid appoints new marketing chiefIntrepid has hired Morwenna Francis as new head of marketing for EMEA. Francis led UK ...Read moreIntrepid appoints new marketing chief - News & announcementsIntrepid has hired Morwenna Francis as new head of marketing for EMEA. Francis led UK marketing for easyJet before joining sustainable coffee brand Pact Coffee in 2020. Based in the company’s Brixton office, she will lead Intrepid’s B2B and B2C marketing strategy in the EMEA region, reporting to managing director, EMEA Zina Bencheikh. She said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Intrepid Travel team and re-joining the travel industry at this key time. Intrepid is a brand I’ve admired for a long time, so I can’t wait to get stuck into the role.” Bencheikh said: “I’m thrilled to have Morwenna join the team. Her role will be vital as we recover from the pandemic and grow sales from the EMEA region, which is key to Intrepid’s 2025 strategy.” -
23 Feb 22
NEWS
Intrepid Travel offers one dollar deposit dealsIntrepid Travel is offering customers the chance to book a trip for just $1 down ...Read moreIntrepid Travel offers one dollar deposit deals - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel is offering customers the chance to book a trip for just $1 down from now until the end of March. Customers can book now and pay the rest later on hundreds of trips such as to Costa Rica, Bali and Jordan. Intrepid says it gives clients the chance to secure a dream trip for 2022 for ‘less than a cup of coffee.’ The offer is valid on selected tours departing before 31 December 2022. The full balance is due 56 days before departure. They offer flexible booking conditions and full refunds if the trip is unable to run $1 deposit highlights include Classic Costa Rica, Jordan and Northern Lights Escape. -
23 Feb 22
NEWS
Intrepid Travel brings back one pound deposit dealsIntrepid is offering customers the chance to book a trip for just £1 down from ...Read moreIntrepid Travel brings back one pound deposit deals - News & announcementsIntrepid is offering customers the chance to book a trip for just £1 down from now until the end of March. Customers can book now and pay the rest later on hundreds of trips such as Costa Rica, Nepal and Jordan. Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA for Intrepid Travel said: "I'm excited to have brought back our popular £1 deposit deal, giving clients the chance to secure their dream trip for 2022 for less than a cup of coffee." The offer is valid on selected tours departing before 31 December 2022. The full balance is due 28 days before departure. Agents can visit the Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook group for daily flight inclusive offers throughout the campaign. £1 deposit highlights include Classic Costa Rica (15 days, from £1,220pp), Premium Jordan (8 days, from £1,382pp) and Portland to San Francisco Discovery (6 days, from £1,695pp). -
26 Oct 21
NEWS
Intrepid Travel to open its own branded hotelsIntrepid Travel is going into the hotel business. Along with partner the Drifter Hospitality Group, ...Read moreIntrepid Travel to open its own branded hotels - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel is going into the hotel business. Along with partner the Drifter Hospitality Group, Intrepid will raise $75 million to buy distressed hotel properties. The small group tour operator plans to snap up struggling hotels and convert them to the 'Drifter - an Intrepid Hotel' brand. Drifter has a small portfolio of properties in New Zealand. Intrepid has a stake in Drifter's tourism and accommodation operator Haka Tours, which manages its hotels. Read full story -
11 Mar 21
NEWS
Intrepid Travel secures strategic partnership and fundingIntrepid Travel has announced a strategic partnership with French investment company Genairgy, which secured a ...Read moreIntrepid Travel secures strategic partnership and funding - News & announcementsIntrepid Travel has announced a strategic partnership with French investment company Genairgy, which secured a minority equity stake in Intrepid's global business. The strategic partnership will help Intrepid to accelerate its growth strategy with a mission to become the world's first $1 billion adventure travel company by 2025. The agreement will support Intrepid in four key growth areas: digital transformation, product innovation, market expansion and purpose initiatives. Intrepid Co-founders Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester, who started the business in 1989, retain majority ownership of the company and remain on the board as Chairman and Director, respectively. James Thornton will continue as CEO and a member of the Board; and Non Executive Directors, Liz Savage and Sarah Morgan, will remain. Genairgy owner Julien Leclercq will join the Board. In 2019, Intrepid achieved a record year of A$491 million of sales and in 2020, despite the impacts of the pandemic, it launched more than 100 sustainable local trips and became the first and only tour operator with verified science-based carbon emissions targets. "As the travel industry starts to recover from the pandemic, we remain focused on building the best travel company for the world," says Intrepid's CEO, James Thornton. "The fact that Genairgy and Intrepid have come together at this time demonstrates real confidence in the future of sustainable experience-rich travel. It's clear that what was once considered a niche, will become a mainstay tourism model post-Covid.". Genairgy's owns a destination management company (DMC) network, Altai, and has an adventure travel division with several investments in the area. . "We are excited to find a partner with the same values as us and we look forward to helping Intrepid achieve its full potential as we emerge from the global pandemic," says Julien Leclercq, owner of Genairgy. "While Intrepid has maintained an impressive history of growth, it was their genuine commitment to sustainable travel and B Corp credentials that truly set them apart," Leclercq added. The transaction is expected to complete by early April 2021.