What makes Intrepid a Great Workplace

Intrepid Colombo was started back in October 2012 to provide IT development services to Intrepid. Since then, it has grown fast into a leading centre of excellence, supporting the global business with technology development and support, as well as supporting a range of other functions including finance, revenue management, HR and customer service. 

The company also runs a successful destination management company, welcoming customers from all over the world on its small-group travel adventures. Intrepid Colombo has grown fast from a handful of staff to now being the largest of Intrepid’s offices with over 260 staff and tour leaders.

In the past decade, Intrepid Colombo has achieved remarkable growth and success, driven by its inclusive and purpose-driven culture. Its commitment to creating jobs, particularly for women, has resulted in women representing 44% of our workforce and the majority of Intrepid’s senior leadership team in Colombo comprises female managers.

Its female leaders have been instrumental in establishing Intrepid’s Center of Excellence, nurturing emerging talents across various disciplines.

Its support for employees includes flexible work options, generous leave policies, travel perks, health entitlements, and an industry-leading parental leave scheme. Amidst economic challenges, we implemented a series of well-being initiatives to ensure continuous engagement and motivation among our team.

Despite the global travel industry’s recent challenges due to the pandemic, they’ve spent the last 18 months rebuilding our teams and responding to the recovery in travel. They introduced career progression initiatives, including learning opportunities through LinkedIn Learning and mentorship programs in Colombo. These efforts are complemented by their robust Rewards and Recognition program, fostering a culture of excellence.

Intrepid’s unique culture revolves around three pillars: People, Product, and Purpose. Under the People pillar, they emphasise transparency, with regular communication from their CEO and senior leadership through video updates, office visits, and intranet posts. The CEO’s visit to Colombo provided an opportunity for direct engagement with our Sri Lankan team members.

Intrepid encourages staff to experience our Product firsthand, offering one complimentary trip per year. This allows them to connect with our tour leaders, customers, and stay closely connected to our core product.

In terms of Purpose, Intrepid is dedicated to responsible travel, advocating for exploration that benefits local communities. They believe travel can be a force for good, fostering cultural understanding and positive change worldwide. Their focus is on making a positive impact on people, the environment, and the communities in which we operate. They empower regional teams to engage in ways that align with their cultures and regions, leveraging technology and flexible work methods.

As a purpose-driven organisation, they utilise business as a force for good, exemplified by their work with the Intrepid Foundation. Their team recently led the country’s largest-ever environmental cleanup campaign with the Zero Plastic Movement, with many more successful initiatives anticipated.

Intrepid’s commitment to fostering a purposeful, collaborative, and enriching work environment continually attracts and retains passionate talent, making it an exceptional workplace.