Intrepid Travel, known for its adventurous tours and commitment to responsible travel, is now making moves to expand into the realm of lodging. This strategic decision aims to enhance the overall travel experience for Intrepid’s customers by offering unique and immersive accommodations. By acquiring hotels in key destinations, Intrepid hopes to create a seamless journey for travelers and provide them with memorable experiences throughout their trips.
Over the past three years, Intrepid has acquired two hotels in Australia and Vietnam. The 15-room Daintree Ecolodge in North Queensland, Australia, and the 19-room Hoi An Field Boutique Hotel in Hoi An, Vietnam, are among the new additions to Intrepid’s portfolio. Additionally, the company has entered into a 50% joint venture with Australia-based off-grid accommodations company CABN. With the recent hiring of hotel industry veteran Celine Hurelle to lead the expansion into accommodations, Intrepid is poised for growth and success in this new venture.
Matt Berna, Intrepid’s president of the Americas, emphasized the importance of providing travelers with enriching and memorable hotel experiences. Co-founder and chairman Darrell Wade’s long-standing vision for incorporating hotels into Intrepid’s business is now becoming a reality. By focusing on destinations where Intrepid operates tours, the company aims to ensure that accommodations are seamlessly integrated into the overall travel experience. The goal is to turn what can sometimes be a mediocre or forgettable aspect of travel into a highlight of the journey.
Intrepid’s strategy includes retaining the identity and branding of certain properties, while others may be co-branded with the Intrepid name. By partnering with hotels that have an established customer base and local popularity, Intrepid aims to offer travelers a truly authentic and immersive experience. The company’s focus on properties in the Pacific Northwest and its plans to incorporate glamping properties and eco-resorts into its tours highlight a commitment to sustainability and responsible travel practices.
Entering the hotel industry represents a significant investment and operational challenge for a tour operator like Intrepid. Robert Cole, a lodging and leisure analyst at Phocuswright, noted that success in the hotel business requires not only financial resources but also a specialized team with the right expertise. However, Intrepid’s unique approach to integrating accommodations into its tours and offering authentic local experiences sets it apart from traditional tour operators.
As Intrepid continues to expand its presence in the accommodations industry, the guidance of industry veteran Celine Hurelle will be crucial. With her deep experience from working at Accor in various senior roles, Hurelle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Intrepid’s lodging division. By focusing on creating memorable and immersive experiences for travelers, Intrepid is poised to capture new customers and set new standards in the travel industry.
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