Intrepid Travel is expanding its UK partnerships team as it targets further growth.   Lucy Wildman joins Intrepid as Senior Partnerships Manager (South) bringing years of industry experience, including nearly a decade working at Trailfinders. She was most recently Senior UK Account Manager for Discova, a DMC which operates across 15 destinations in Asia and the Americas. She will be managing day-to-day relations and working closely with Intrepid's key partners and travel agents in the south. "I'm thrilled to be joining Intrepid, it's a great company and one I have always admired and respected." She joins Carrie Grant, Senior Partnerships Manager (North), Molly Cofman-Nicoresti (Partnerships Manager) and Jessica Mills (Partnerships Executive). Natalia Marin Reyes has been promoted to Senior Partnerships Manager and will be overseeing Intrepid's affiliate and co-branded partnerships. Additionally, Joanna Reeve's role as head of business development and partnerships has also been expanded to cover Europe, alongside the UK. Intrepid is launching more incentives and experiences for travel agents this year, including a Book 4 in '24 incentive, 50% off Intrepid trips, and 25% off 2024/25 Antarctic voyages. There is also 25% off Intrepid Urban Adventures for agents, and UK mini-Intrepid experiences and fam trips to be announced. Intrepid has also had promotions in its UK & Europe sales team which will further strengthen partner support. They include Samantha Briggs taking on the role of Head of Sales and Leah Burton, Emily Boscoe and Andrew Everett being promoted to Sales Managers.   

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Intrepid Travel has joined forces with the World Travel & Tourism Council's Hotel Sustainability Basics Programme. Intrepid becomes the first global travel company to extend the sustainability verification scheme to its suppliers. The Hotel Sustainability Basics Programme was developed through WTTC and is overseen by the Sustainability Hospitality Alliance. It is a first step for hotels of any size to adopt more sustainable operations. Hotels undergo a three-year evaluation process, benchmarking their improvements on 12 sustainability criteria. Hotels must achieve at least eight of the criteria after the first year, with at least one benchmark from each of the three focus areas. After three years, hotels can move on to the Global Sustainability Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, which is a global standard for tourism sustainability. Hotels can alternatively follow the Sustainability Hospitality Alliance's Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality. Intrepid says these changes benefit the performance of its overall supply chain. Intrepid will initially launch a trial with selected accommodation suppliers in Nepal and Bhutan in January 2024. There are plans to expand the scheme to other hotels across its global supply chain. "Suppliers want to improve their practices, but as small businesses, they often don't have the resources," said Sara King, GM of Purpose for Intrepid Travel. "By offering our hotel suppliers access to this programme, we can make focused improvements that will support them," she adds. This initiative follows other efforts by Intrepid across social and environmental improvements. The company earlier this year launched the industry's first consortium aimed at combating modern slavery in travel and tourism's supply chains.

Intrepid 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.

 

Intrepid 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)

  This all-encompassing comfort-level trip includes visits to the sacred Hassan II Mosque, and Roman ruins of Volubilis, an iconic solar-powered Sahara camping experience among the sand dunes, a unique visit and tasting at a Tawesna teahouse run by local women, hiking through the High Atlas Mountain range, and an exploration of the vibrant architecture and flavours of Marrakech.  

• One Week in Morocco: Sahara & Atlas Mountains (NEW 8-Day Trip from £505pp)

  The new One Week in Morocco itinerary was developed exclusively for 18–29-year-old travellers, with a perfect balance of bucket-list experiences and unique adventures, providing a taste of all the best of Intrepid’s Morocco product. From the bustling city streets of Marrakech to a trek through the High Atlas Mountains, and            a solar-powered camp under the Sahara stars.  

• Mt. Toubkal Long Weekend Trek (NEW 5-Day Trip from £400pp)

  On Intrepid’s new Mt.Toubkal Long Weekend tour, travellers will climb the highest   summit in North Africa with expert guides, taking in incredible views of the High Atlas Mountain Range, the Sahara and the Atlantic Coast, experiencing a night in an authentic mountain refuge at Toubkal base camp, and enjoying home-cooked meals full of Moroccan favourites along the way.   Other new experiences include a M'goun Valley Henna Ceremony on Intrepid’s Morocco Uncovered trip, where travellers will learn about the history and significance of henna tattoos and receive their own designs from Naquasha women; and a Taman’Art Space visit on Intrepid’s Premium Morocco tour with a local artist on a terrace overlooking the mountains.   “We are thrilled to be launching this new partnership with MNTO, investing more in the development of tourism in my home country,” says Hala Benkhaldoun, Morocco General Manager for Intrepid Travel. “Morocco is an extremely special place – one that more of the world should have the chance to see,” she adds.   In addition to expanding offerings in Morocco, Intrepid’s non-for-profit The Intrepid Foundation has introduced a new partnership with Moroccan nonprofit The High Atlas Foundation, as one of 22 new partners for the brand globally in 2023. For every traveller booked on an Intrepid trip, the company will make a donation to an NGO partner chosen by its local team including The High Atlas Foundation dedicated to agricultural development, education and health access for women and youth in Morocco, and Education for All, a nonprofit expanding female education access to the remote communities of Morocco.

  Intrepid 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.

Intrepid 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.

 

Intrepid’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)

  On this trip, travellers will visit South Korea’s slow food capital in Jeonju, dive deep into seafood in Busan and experience the labyrinthian Gwangang Market in Seoul, famously featured in the Netflix series ‘Street Food’.   Plant-based experience: On Day 4 travellers will immerse themselves in monastic life during a temple stay in Gyeongju, which includes a plant-based dinner with chanting meditation and martial arts class.  

• Italy Real Food Adventure (8 days from £1,855pp)

  Uncover the secrets of Italian cuisine while travelling from Venice to Rome. Inspired by the kitchens of the nonna, Italy’s food is authentic and surprising – pizza and pasta are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse array of unforgettable food you’ll find on this adventure.   Plant-based experience: On Day 5 travellers will stay in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse in San Gimignano. Dinner that evening will be a plant-based spread made with ingredients freshly harvested from the farmhouse garden beds, including homemade pasta, salads and vegetables.  

• Japan Real Food Adventure (12 days from £3,920pp)

  Ignite your tastebuds on a culinary journey through Japan’s most delicious hotspots. To the glittering skyscrapers of Tokyo and the lush alps of Takayama, slurp on soba and sample some sake as you work your way through the contrasting flavours of the land of the rising sun.   Plant-based experience: On Day 8 travellers will venture into mountainous Koya-san, spending the night in a monastery and discovering shojin ryori – a traditional plant-based style of eating practiced by Buddhist monks. Meals are prepared with seasonable vegetables and wild plants from the mountains.  

• Mexico Food Adventure (9 days from £1,115pp)

  Get an authentic taste of Mexico on this journey through some of the country’s most famous culinary regions. Meander through Oaxaca’s aromatic markets, take to the streets of Puebla to sample some the city’s local specialties, indulge in fresh seafood on the beach, and take to the streets of Mexico City on a taco crawl to experience a delightful culinary heritage that goes back thousands of years.   Plant-based experience: On Day 4 travellers will enjoy a plant-based spread at a local restaurant specialising in dishes from the Isthmus region of Oaxaca. Tuck into tasty gorditas, tamales with huitlacoche, vegan tlayuda and seasonal fresh fruit.  

• Vietnam Real Food Adventure (12 days from £1,460pp)

  From pho and ancient buildings in Hanoi, banh khoai and imperial citadels in Hue, banh xeo and lantern-lit streets in Hoi An and banh canh and pulsating markets in Ho Chi Minh City, experience Vietnam’s cuisine and its tightly woven place within the culture.   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, followed by a visit to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.   Intrepid Travel has long been advocating for the role our food system plays in the climate crisis. In 2018, the company launched three dedicated vegan real food adventures in India, Italy and Thailand. While these trips are still available as custom and private departures, Intrepid has now shifted focus to embedding more plant-based meals into all of its existing itineraries.

Intrepid 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.”

Intrepid 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.  

Intrepid 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).

Intrepid 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

Intrepid 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.