Intrepid Introduces a New Collection of ‘High-End Sustainable’ Tours
by Jessica Montevago
The new tours include a visit with the Ese Eja peoples, an indigenous community considered the stewards of the Peruvian rainforest (pictured). Photo: RPBaiao/Shutterstock.com.
Intrepid this week unveiled a new collection of tours focused on “high-end sustainable travel,” trips that will allow guests to vacation in luxury while also traveling with sustainability in mind.
The Intrepid Premium range will have over 70 new trips in 40 countries available for departures starting in January 2022.
The options include private or first-class local transportation, upscale accommodations, more included meals, and more immersive activities included. All incidental tipping, excluding the local leader, is also included in the price of the Premium trip.
The Premium range features an average local accommodation rating of 4 stars, from a cave hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey to an eco-lodge in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Most accommodations are locally owned and many of the properties use renewable and alternative energy sources.
Experiences include a sand dune dinner under the stars in Pushkar, India and a community stay in Peru that includes a visit with the Ese Eja peoples, an indigenous community considered the stewards of the Peruvian rainforest. A selection of trips will also visit social enterprise projects that are working to promote gender equality, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment.
James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, said the company found that customers were seeking a higher-end product with purpose. It has developed the new tours over the past six months.
The premium travel market, which accounted for nearly $945.6 billion of travel’s $8.8 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP in 2019, is poised for growth. In a post-pandemic world, according to AMEX Global Travel Trends, the premium travel market will accelerate, with a greater concentration on private and isolated trips, increased cleanliness standards, and private transportation.
The AMEX study found that high-end travelers want personalized and purposeful experiences at the forefront of their private and unique travels, including supporting small communities and businesses impacted by COVID.
As with all Intrepid Travel tours, the Premium range is 100% carbon offset and designed to have a low environmental footprint and a positive impact on local communities.
