How Intrepid Travel Is Turning Doing Good Into Big Business

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Tue June 23, 2026

This article originally appeared in the June issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.

For as long as Intrepid Travel has been in business (37 years and counting), the company has served as a master class in doing things differently —boldly balancing its focus on being a purpose-driven leader in the travel industry with its vision to be immensely profitable.

That effort began in 1989 when Australian university buddies Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester established the company and began crafting trips that benefited local people and places while showing travelers the world.

Over the years, Intrepid’s sense of purpose has expanded substantially, materializing in a variety of admirable ways. The CliffsNotes version of this journey includes establishing the nonprofit Intrepid Foundation in 2002 to create positive change around the world; working to be a leader in climate-conscious travel since 2005; and being carbon neutral since 2010. Those accomplishments were followed by Intrepid’s certification as a B Corporation in 2018, when it became the travel industry’s largest B Corp — a designation recognizing businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance.

In 2018, Intrepid became the travel industry’s largest B Corporation, a designation that verifies its commitment to social and environmental performance.

In between these major headlines, there were other deeply meaningful moves, as well. In 2014, Intrepid became one of the first global tour operators to ban elephant rides during itineraries, at a time when evidence and knowledge were growing about the cruelty enacted upon the animals. More recently, the operator took another stand, launching a new product line of Active-ism trips, designed to raise awareness about the challenges U.S. national parks face under the Trump Administration’s repeated gutting of park budgets. The trips are led by some of the most groundbreaking names in next-gen environmental activism, including drag queen Pattie Gonia, an environmental and LGBTQ+ icon, and Leah Thomas, an award-winning environmentalist.

Whether Intrepid is working to protect the environment and wildlife, support local cultures, reduce emissions or promote social justice and gender equity, the common throughline is the company’s unflinching willingness to occupy a position of uniquely bold leadership. And in the process, Intrepid has continually redefined what it means to be an adventure travel company in a complex world.

During a recent conversation with AGENTatHOME, Leigh Barnes, president of the Americas for Intrepid, discussed the position the brand has staked out for itself.

Giving Back Is in Intrepid’s DNA

In conjunction with the recent publication of its 2025 Integrated Annual Report, Intrepid posted a blog on its website meant to distill the report’s most significant takeaways. The bottom line? More purpose. More innovation. More unforgettable moments.

Hosted by prominent changemakers, Intrepid Travel's Active-ism trips blend adventure with activist-led discussions.

Translation: Yes, Intrepid has spent decades making one purpose-driven move after another, but it’s also still just getting started.

Barnes told us that the company’s unwavering focus on always being good stewards and giving back comes naturally.

"It’s built into our DNA," he said. "I’ve been with the company 16 years now, and it’s always spoken about. I’ve been trained in it. It’s one of my Key Performance Indicator goals. We’re always trying to do things the right way and improve."

Whether that’s traveling in a more meaningful way in the communities Intrepid visits, having more impact on places the operator goes or improving standards through people and certifications, stewardship and giving back are topics of every staff meeting, according to Barnes.

"I speak about it with my team all the time," he added. "It feels natural and normal. It probably feels a bit strange when we’re not talking about it, because it’s part of who we are."

Barnes offered another bit of insight into why operating as a steadfastly purpose-driven company is so important to Intrepid — and it’s a point that every company, no matter the industry, could do well to focus on.

Intrepid’s Active-ism trips are designed to help guests explore U.S. national parks while learning about the work that goes into protecting them.

"I think the guiding light for me and my team is that, without our planet, without healthy natural environments, we don’t have a business," he said. "And without communities wanting us there, we don’t have a business. And without customers, we don’t have a business. So, the way we look at it is: We need to do the right thing for all stakeholders."

Finding Profit Through Purpose-Driven Travel

In 2025, Intrepid racked up some pretty impressive numbers. Here are a few of the highlights:

$873 million in bookings (a 26% year-over-year increase)
$809 million in revenue (a 29% year-over-year increase)
$6 million in contributions to communities and charities

It’s also worth acknowledging that Intrepid continues to record this kind of revenue and growth at a time when world events are creating more anxiety for some travelers, from the war in Ukraine, climate change and the increasingly severe weather it brings about, to the more recent industry disruption and inflation triggered by the war in Iran.

Active-ism itineraries allow guests to see some of America’s most iconic landmarks and best hiking trails.

According to Barnes, the company has navigated global uncertainty by remaining focused on being the best travel company for the world while also staying nimble and making quick decisions when current events demand it.

"Our priority is running great trips, regardless of geopolitical situations and regardless of what’s happening economically," Barnes said. "We focus on running amazing trips and doing everything we can to make sure they are as sustainable as possible. And we continue to do that over and over."

Another reason Intrepid remains wildly successful is the company’s willingness to lead the charge when it comes to doing the right thing, and its dogged support for important causes, ranging from environmental to social. These core values are what have attracted a devoted following of global travelers over the past few decades.

"We definitely see it as a symbiotic relationship," Barnes said. "The more good we do, the more customers we have. The more customers are engaged, the more purpose we’re able to support. We call it purpose and profit: The more purpose we have, the more profit we make; the more profit we make, the more we’re able to invest into our purpose."

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