Intrepid Travel is adding 22 new impact initiatives to its itineraries this year, bulking up its portfolio of sustainable and ethical experiences around the globe.
Defined as activities that directly support environmental or wildlife conservation, preserve Indigenous culture or support marginalized social groups, Intrepid’s impact initiatives are already included in the majority of its tours, with dozens having been added to the tour operator’s portfolio in the last year alone.
The latest experiences span across 16 countries and include meals at local establishments supporting women, migrants and seniors, to immersive tours preserving Indigenous and ethnic minority legacies.
“The tourism industry is at a pivotal moment with the gradual resumption of travel,’ according to Erica Kritikides, senior product manager at Intrepid Travel.
“Businesses such as ours have an exciting opportunity, not to mention a responsibility, to find more ways to contribute in a positive way to the places and people we visit.
“Intrepid’s sustainable, experience-rich style of travel allows people of all nationalities and backgrounds to connect through immersive, hands-on experiences.
“Being more intentional with the experiences we offer our travellers allows us to collectively make a greater positive impact in our shared world.”
Recent research shows that travelers are increasingly wanting their travels to have a positive impact. Expedia’s 2022 Travel Trends Report indicated that travellers are more willing than ever to “go big” on their next trip and wring every bit of richness and meaning out of their experiences.
Meanwhile, Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report revealed that 84 per cent of travellers believe increasing cultural understanding and preservation of cultural heritage is crucial, and 69 per cent of travellers will actively avoid popular destinations and attractions to ensure they are doing their part to disperse the positive benefits of travel to less frequently visited destinations and communities.
Intrepid Travel’s new “impact initiatives” for 2022 include highlights like an authentic experience at a teahouse in Morocco supporting local women, carbon neutral whale watching tour in Iceland, paper crafts class supporting the local deaf and mute community in Vietnam, treats at a generation-bridging café in Vienna and a heritage tour in South Dakota empowering the Lakota community to preserve their legacy.
Featured image: Carbon Neutral Whale Watching, Iceland (North Sailing)
