Intrepid Targets French Market with Acquisition of France-Based Altai Group

Intrepid Travel has completed its largest acquisition in its 37-year history welcoming France-based adventure operator Altaï Group into the business. 

This acquisition means the company’s presence in Western Europe has expanded, growing operation capability from France into key destinations across the Americas including Canada, Peru and Chile. It also unlocks one of the biggest outstanding opportunities; French-speaking Canada.

Quebec alone represents 23% of the Canadian population, with an estimated CAD $10-12B in adventure travel spend and more than CAD $20m in revenue potential for Intrepid. The acquisition of Altaï will increase its ability to serve that market. 

“Canada is now Intrepid’s fastest-growing market,” said Christian Wolters, General Manager for Canda, Intrepid. “This acquisition gives us the capability to expand our operations and better serve travellers in French-speaking Quebec, which represents a quarter of the Canadian population and billions in adventure travel spend.” 

Altaï Group will continue to be led by Managing Director Yann Wulser, who will report to Intrepid’s Managing Director EMEA, Zina Bencheikh. 

Headquartered in Lyon, the Altaï Group operates nature-based, active, small group and tailor-made travel experiences through several brands, including Atalante, Altaï Travel, Copines de Voyage, and Les Aventureurs. Like Intrepid, Altaï Group is a vertically integrated business operating most of its trips across the globe through its own network of Destination Management Companies (DMCs).  

Altaï Group will remain based in France and will continue to operate with the existing names and brands for the short-term.  

This is Intrepid’s second major investment in Europe, following the acquisition of leading Dutch tour operator Sawadee Reizen in early 2025. That acquisition will add AU$100M+ in revenue and an additional 35,000 customers a year to Intrepid.