Intrepid Travel is taking bold steps by increasing its ownership of accommodation as part of its global expansion strategy.
- The initiative is designed to address accommodation supply challenges and to attract diverse customers.
- Intrepid has already acquired properties such as the Daintree Ecolodge in Australia and is exploring further purchases in Morocco and Scandinavia.
- The company’s one million room nights sold annually could rise with these strategic acquisitions.
- Intrepid also plans to leverage partnerships with outdoor clothing brands to enhance its market visibility.
Intrepid Travel has announced its intention to expand its accommodation ownership as part of a larger strategy to address supply issues and attract a broader range of customers. This move underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing its global footprint in the travel industry.
Group CEO James Thornton highlighted the potential benefits of acquiring unique properties, such as riads in Morocco and eco-lodges in Scandinavia. “We are increasingly moving into accommodation to solve supply issues where we cannot get access to accommodation or because we want to attract a new type of customer,” said Thornton.
The strategic acquisition journey began with the purchase of the Daintree Ecolodge in Queensland, Australia, which marked a significant step in their accommodation portfolio. Prior to this, Intrepid took a 50% stake in the low-impact start-up Cabn, which includes 30 ‘off grid’ cabins across southern Australia. Additionally, the company holds a three-year lease on a 19-room property in Vietnam.
These strategic moves are expected to consolidate Intrepid’s operational capabilities. By owning the properties, Intrepid can ensure availability, maintain quality standards, and offer unique travel experiences catering to discerning travellers.
Intrepid’s vertical integration in accommodation seeks to replicate its success with the existing network of nearly 30 destination management companies that manage ground tours. This model is central to their vision of a seamless travel experience that reflects the company’s values of sustainable tourism and community engagement.
Alongside these plans, Intrepid is looking to collaborate with outdoor clothing and equipment brands to further brand awareness. The introduction of ‘The Intrepid Hotlist’, featuring destinations in a series of coffee-table books, is also part of their brand strategy.
Intrepid Travel’s strategic expansion into accommodation ownership is a forward-thinking approach to overcoming supply challenges and enhancing customer attraction, setting a new precedent in the travel industry.
