Intrepid Travel Chairman and Co-founder makes special visit to Sri Lanka to share future responsible tourism growth plans

Darrell Wade together with Intrepid Colombo General Manager Poornaka Delpachitra and SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando

• Darrell Wade highlights the importance of Sri Lanka to Intrepid’s 2030 strategy

The Chairman and Co-founder Darrell Wade of the world’s largest adventure travel company and a leader in responsible tourism has made a special visit to Sri Lanka to highlight the need for sustainable growth and the importance of Sri Lanka to Intrepid’s 2030 strategy.

As part of its commitment to its global teams, Intrepid’s Co-founders and CEO, who are based in Australia, are travelling to every one of the company’s 27 country offices this year to meet with Intrepid’s team and stakeholders with the aim to introduce the company’s 2030 strategy.

On 25 March evening, Intrepid Colombo hosted an evening fellowship to discuss Intrepid’s 2030 strategy and commitment to Sri Lanka. Esteemed guests, such as Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Priantha Fernando, representatives from the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, senior officials from Sri Lanka’s tourism, industry partners, development agencies, and members of the media were in attendance along with Wade. 

Intrepid Colombo’s Centre of Excellence supports the global company through a variety of functions, including technology, revenue management, human resources, product services, finance and customer service, as well as having its own Destination Management Company.

Sri Lanka currently employs over 240 staff and 30 local trip leaders, being of one of the largest offices for Intrepid. Intrepid operates 11 trips across the country. In 2023, it supported 1,200 travellers to explore Sri Lanka in a conscious manner. However, in 2024, Sri Lanka is growing at a rate of over 375% and is expected to carry over 4,500 customers. This figure surpasses the DMC’s best year back in pre-COVID 2019 (3,500 customers) and the operation has ambitious plans to bring over 15,000 customers to Sri Lanka by 2030.

Beyond Sri Lanka, the 2030 Strategy involves a global ambition to double its global

customers to 600,000 (320,000 in 2023), achieve revenues of $ 1.3 billion (AUD $ 621 million in 2023) and contribute 1% of revenue to purpose initiatives. It plans to deepen its vertical integration to expand into areas including accommodation and grow its presence in key countries, including Sri Lanka.

Darrell’s visit serves as a reaffirmation of Intrepid’s commitment to Sri Lanka within its 2030 strategy. “Our commitment entails further strengthening the capabilities of the Colombo Centre of Excellence. We will achieve this by fostering greater economic growth in Sri Lanka, supporting a vibrant tourism industry and engaging in local community philanthropy,” said Country General Manager, Sri Lanka Poornaka Delpachitra.

One way that Intrepid supports local communities is via its not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation. This has raised more than $ 15.5 million for communities around the world since 2002.

In Sri Lanka, the Intrepid Foundation has been working with Zero Plastic Movement for the past two years to create a behavioural change among citizens and institutions to reduce plastic waste while building a demand for plastic alternatives. “Our support of Zero Plastic Movement is indicative of our commitment to ensuring the growth of responsible travel in Sri Lanka, and the world at large,” shared Delpachitra.

Intrepid also recently partnered with an International Development Program (MDF) on a new Government cross-industry partnership to boost female participation in tourism in Sri Lanka.

Intrepid is a leader in climate-conscious travel options and it is innovating in Sri Lanka by trialing the use of electric vehicles. More than 90% of its airport transfers are made through EVs and regularly use fully electric-powered cars for its FIT customers. Intrepid believes by growing its business and key partnerships, it can achieve more positive outcomes for local communities from tourism. As a certified B Corp, with the highest standard of social and environmental performance, this is a key priority for the business in Sri Lanka and around the world.