“A Big Year:” Intrepid Sees 48% Surge in Canadian Bookings

Intrepid Travel is reporting a significant jump in Canadian bookings, with September sales climbing 48 per cent year over year as demand for small-group adventures continues to gain momentum.

The tour operator says Canadian bookings are now up 21% year to date, cementing Canada’s position as Intrepid’s fastest-growing market globally.

“September was a standout month in what has been a big year for Canada,” said Christian Wolters, president for Canada at Intrepid, in a press release. “What’s encouraging is the breadth of that growth. We’re seeing Canadians embrace small-group travel across destinations, travel styles and price points, which is a strong signal that small group adventure is gaining real momentum in Canada.”

Travel Trade Helps Drive Growth

Intrepid’s September performance was supported by growth across both its direct and travel trade channels.

Direct bookings increased 50 per cent year over year, while bookings through industry partners climbed 43 per cent.

The company attributes the results partly to increased investment in brand awareness, marketing and trade relationships across Canada.

Its sponsorship of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was among its major consumer-facing initiatives.

Now in its third year as a title sponsor, Intrepid used the festival to engage thousands of attendees and introduce its small-group travel experiences to new audiences.

On the trade side, Intrepid continued strengthening its relationships with Canadian travel advisors, including participation in the Air Canada Vacations roadshow in September.

The company has also been expanding its distribution network, creating additional opportunities for advisors to sell its itineraries.

Domestic Adventures Gain Traction

More Canadians are also choosing to explore their own backyard, the company says.

In September, Intrepid expanded its distribution through a new partnership with Air Canada Vacations, making eight small-group itineraries across Canada available through the tour operator’s booking platform and travel advisor network.

The move comes as Intrepid reports a 10% year-to-date increase in Canadian bookings for its domestic trips.

International destinations are also performing well.

Japan and Ecuador have emerged as two of Intrepid’s strongest-performing destinations among Canadian travellers in 2026, while Peru is seeing renewed interest ahead of its peak travel season.

Japan’s popularity reflects a broader travel trend. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians made 188,000 visits to Japan in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 79,000 compared to the same period last year.

Globally, Morocco was Intrepid’s most popular destination in September, followed by Vietnam and Italy.

Other destinations experiencing significant year-over-year growth in customer numbers included Ecuador, up 93 per cent, Argentina, up 59 per cent, and Uzbekistan, up 40 per cent.

Comfort & Premium Travel on the Rise

Canadians are also showing a growing appetite for more comfortable adventure experiences, says Intrepid.

Intrepid says its Premium and Comfort travel styles have been among its strongest-performing categories in Canada this year, contributing to higher average booking values.

The trend suggests travellers are increasingly interested in combining immersive, experience-rich itineraries with elevated accommodation and additional comforts.

At the same time, Canadians are booking further in advance.

Strong demand for 2027 departures has contributed to the success of Intrepid’s Early Bird offer, signalling continued interest in small-group travel beyond the current season.

“We have a strong base of repeat travellers who come back to Intrepid again and again, and September showed us that more Canadians are discovering Intrepid for the first time than ever before. That combination of loyalty and new customers discovering small-group travel gives us a lot of confidence in the opportunity ahead,” Wolters said.

More Than 80 New Trips for 2027

To capitalize on the demand, Intrepid has introduced more than 80 new itineraries for 2027, expanding its portfolio across a range of destinations and travel styles.

The additions include new adventures in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, alongside less-travelled regions such as Turkey’s Black Sea coast and Northern Spain’s Picos de Europa.