How Intrepid Travel's CSR Initiatives Are Shaping Better Tourism

Intrepid Travel champions sustainability and community engagement worldwide.

Pioneering Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

Intrepid Travel, recognised as the travel industry's largest B Corp, has consistently set benchmarks in sustainable tourism through its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies. Founded in Australia in 1989, Intrepid has been at the forefront of integrating ethical practices that benefit both local communities and the environment into their business model.

Ethical Marketing and Inclusive Representation

In 2022, Intrepid Travel introduced a set of ethical marketing guidelines to ensure diversity in its promotional content. This initiative mandates that at least 50% of their content partners are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), with additional representation from plus-size, LGBTQIA+, and Indigenous groups. These steps underscore Intrepid's commitment to inclusivity and the accurate portrayal of global diversity within tourism.

To lower its carbon footprint, Intrepid Travel has discontinued all scenic flights and removed approximately 4,000 flights from its schedule.

Expanding Cultural Tours and Local Engagements

Intrepid is expanding its tours to include more BIPOC and Indigenous-focused experiences. In the U.S., eight new tours centred on BIPOC cultures were launched. In Australia, tours focusing on First Nations people were introduced, with plans to extend to over 100 global Indigenous experiences. These tours are collaboratively designed with local communities to ensure they reflect genuine cultural insights and bring economic opportunities directly to these groups.

Comprehensive CSR Efforts in 2024

Intrepid's CSR initiatives for 2024 include:

• Carbon Labeling Initiative: Providing detailed CO2-e emission estimates for all aspects of their tours to promote carbon-conscious travel decisions.

• Flight Reduction Strategy: To lower its carbon footprint, it will remove approximately 4,000 flights from its trips and discontinue all scenic flights.

• Community Support Pledge: Committing AUD$1 million to match public contributions, thus doubling the support funnelled to grassroots NGOs in the travel destinations.

• Promotion of Electric Vehicles: Leading by example, Intrepid has introduced electric vehicles for airport transfers in Sri Lanka, aiming to transition to electric transportation entirely.

Global Impact and Future Directions

Through these initiatives, Intrepid Travel fosters responsible tourism and enhances the travel experience by prioritising the welfare of the destinations and communities they visit. This approach aligns with a growing global demand for ethical travel options and positions Intrepid as a leader in responsible tourism.

Intrepid Travel's dedication to CSR showcases how travel can be a potent tool for positive global impact, setting a high standard for the entire industry.