Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources

Direct Travel Partners with The Intrepid Foundation for Grassroots Giving

by Bruce Parkinson  September 25, 2026
Intrepid Travel The Intrepid Foundation

The Intrepid Foundation has disbursed more than $20 million to communities around the world. Photo: Intrepid Travel

Direct Travel has announced the launch of Direct Impact: Give Back, a new initiative developed in partnership with Intrepid Travel that aims to give advisors a meaningful way to engage clients in charitable giving as part of their travel planning. 

The initiative connects travellers with vetted, community-led projects in the destinations they visit, work in, or feel a personal connection to.

Through Direct Impact: Give Back, advisors can invite clients to support causes from youth empowerment to humanitarian response and community-driven climate action with 100% of donations going directly to partner organizations on the ground. 

The Intrepid Foundation, Intrepid Travel’s nonprofit arm, will manage project selection, donation processing, and impact reporting, while Intrepid Travel will cover all administrative costs to ensure full transparency.

“Travellers consistently tell us they want their trips to leave a positive footprint, not just take one,” said Rene Schneeberger, Senior Vice President, Leisure Supplier Relations and Revenue Optimization, Direct Travel, Inc. 

“Direct Impact: Give Back gives advisors an easy, authentic way to bring that conversation into the planning process. It’s not about asking for money, it’s about offering clients a meaningful way to live out their values through travel.”

Projects supported through the initiative include:

  • Expanding education access for girls in Morocco’s High Atlas region through Education For All.
  • Supporting Cambodia Rural Students Trust’s work to break cycles of poverty through education.
  • Advancing water skills training programs with Indigenous communities in Canada through Water First.
  • Strengthening conservation partnerships in Kenya through the East Africa Wildlife Society.
  • Restoring ecosystems through Eden: People + Planet and Rainforest Rescue.

“For more than two decades, The Intrepid Foundation has connected travelers directly with trusted grassroots organizations delivering real impact for communities,” said Biheng Zhang, General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation. 

“Partnering with Direct Travel allows us to scale that model responsibly, expanding access to carefully vetted partners while inspiring new travellers to support local communities.”

Advisors also have access to a dedicated toolkit with guidance on starting client conversations, setting up personal fundraisers, and sharing the impact of every contribution, turning everyday trip planning into an opportunity for travellers to give back

  
  
Related Articles
Intrepid Travel obtient la certification selon les nouvelles normes mondiales de B Corp
Intrepid & Explore Launch Appeals to Raise Funds for Flood-Ravaged Nepal & Tibet
Intrepid Launches Advisor Incentive Focused on Toronto International Film Festival
Intrepid Travel Answers Strong Canadian Interest with More Indigenous-Led Experiences
Intrepid Travel Names Toronto-Based Brian McLaren Head of Sales, North America.
Intrepid Encourages 18-35s to go All-In on Meaningful Experiences
Intrepid Foundation Issues Emergency Appeal for Colombian Earthquake Support
Meaningful Travel Index: Intrepid Research Finds Canadians Want to Make Positive Impact
Book 5, 6th is Free: Intrepid Launches Incentive on Tailor-Made 2026 Eastern Europe Trips

MOST VIEWED

  1. Softvoyage Delays Decommissioning of REVNET After Advisors Express Concerns
  2. Celebrity Reveals Seven-Continent 2028-2029 Deployment
  3. Air Canada Posts Q2 Results Hit by Fuel Costs, Confirms Sale of Aeroplan Stake
  4. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister on Tourism Investment, Canada’s Growing Importance and Cuba’s Recovery
  5. Low River Water Hell: Travel Advisors Navigate the Shallows of Europe River Cruise Season
  6. Air Canada Offers 10X ‘Air Canada & Me’ Tokens for Domestic Flights Through Year-End


Top Stories
TTAND Named to Air Canada Circle of Excellence Platinum Level for 3rd Straight Year
TTAND Named to Air Canada Circle of Excellence Platinum Level for 3rd Straight Year

“We are honoured on behalf of our agent partners to be once again named to the platinum level of the Air Canada Circle of Excellence,” said TTAND CEO, Flemming Friisdahl.

Global TV’s The Morning Show to Feature Emerald Yachts & Advisor Claire Newell
Global TV’s The Morning Show to Feature Emerald Yachts & Advisor Claire Newell

Beginning September 14, Global’s The Morning Show will roll out a week of exclusive features chronicling a Mediterranean journey with Emerald Yacht Cruises.

Nexion Travel Group President Jackie Friedman to Retire in Spring 2027
Nexion Travel Group President Jackie Friedman to Retire in Spring 2027

The executive started her career as a front-line agent and travel agency manager in Toronto.

Beyond Commission: Explora Journeys Launches New Advisor Rewards Program
Beyond Commission: Explora Journeys Launches New Advisor Rewards Program

Beyond Commission rewards eligible travel advisors by offering a reward worth up to 2% of the qualifying journey value, delivered as a virtual gift card. 

TRAVELSAVERS Names Sevi Anagnostis as Senior Director, Supplier Relations
TRAVELSAVERS Names Sevi Anagnostis as Senior Director, Supplier Relations

Anagnostis is well-known to Canadian advisors through her roles with WestJet Vacations, Carlson Wagonlit, Air Canada and more.

Ensemble Celebrates Top Performers with ‘Beyond Extraordinary’ Journey Through China
Ensemble Celebrates Top Performers with ‘Beyond Extraordinary’ Journey Through China

The trip brought together the network’s top-performing members, Rising Stars, key partners and Senior Leadership Team for an eight-day journey designed to celebrate achievement.

TMR Subscription

Don’t miss out! Sign up for our free daily newsletter and get the latest Canadian travel industry news and event coverage delivered straight to your inbox. No spam — just what matters.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR OUTLOOKS, WHITE PAPERS & DESTINATION GUIDES
View All
Advertiser's Voice
NCL Makes Waves: Derek Lloyd on the New Great Tides Waterpark
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
Editor@travelmarketreport.ca
Give Us a Call
647 255 8990
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report Canada Inc.
3080 Yonge St. Suite 6060 Toronto, ON M4N 3N1
© 2005 - 2026 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences