Intrepid to host Global Summit 2025 in Sri Lanka

Intrepid CEO James Thornton at last year’s global summit 

• World’s largest adventure travel company chooses Colombo as the host city for its flagship people’s event

Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, has chosen Colombo, Sri Lanka, as the host city for its annual Global Summit 2025. This marks only the second time the company has hosted the annual event outside its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia – underscoring Sri Lanka’s vital role within Intrepid’s global operations.

Intrepid established an office in Colombo in 2012 and has gone from strength to strength since then. With both a capability centre and a country office managing trips across the island, Sri Lanka has become a key operational centre for the company, supporting technology, revenue management, human resources, product services, finance and customer service. The size and impact of Intrepid’s local team with 276 office-based staff and 45 local tour leaders, coupled with the destination’s strong performance, made it a natural choice for this prestigious event. 

Scheduled to take place from 24 to 27 February 2025, Intrepid’s Global Summit will bring together over 200 international participants over 50 nationalities across its 40 plus offices, including Intrepid’s board, co-founders, and core management team, alongside 300 local team members.

The four-day summit will feature strategy discussions, leadership workshops, local community engagements and familiarisations trips to its people around the world. This initiative aligns with Intrepid’s broader mission to foster a strong, inclusive company culture where team members play a role in shaping the business. Bringing together key stakeholders in Sri Lanka signals a firm commitment to strengthening global teams and reinforcing the company’s presence in Asia.

It is also fitting that Sri Lanka has been selected to host the event, with Intrepid having been named Best Destination Loyal Partner at the recent Sri Lanka National Tourism Awards 2024, as well as being shortlisted as a finalist in Best Sustainable Practices.

“Our team in Sri Lanka are such an important part of our company and our customers also love visiting this incredible and vibrant country,” said Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton. “Our vision for Sri Lanka extends beyond tourism; it’s about driving sustainable growth and creating meaningful, lasting impact. The growing number of Intrepid travellers choosing Sri Lanka highlights its immense potential, and we remain committed to ensuring local communities share in the benefits of this success. I’m delighted that we will be able to share in the culture of Sri Lanka, while supporting local businesses and communities,” Thornton added. 

In 2024, Intrepid achieved remarkable growth, welcoming over 4,000 travellers to Sri Lanka, a 206% increase from 2023, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels. The company has ambitious plans to welcome over 15,000 travellers to Sri Lanka by 2030, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s tourism and growth further driving economic benefits for local communities, tour leaders, and small businesses. 

“We are excited to welcome our Global leadership and colleagues around the world to Colombo. This is a remarkable privilege and a great opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s incredible offerings as a destination, share our vibrant culture, and celebrate our biggest people event in our company’s calendar right here in my home country,” said Intrepid Country General Manager for Sri Lanka Poornaka Delpachitra.

As Sri Lanka continues its recovery as a premier travel destination, hosting Intrepid’s Global Summit is a significant boost for the country’s tourism industry with the presence of top global leaders and decision-makers in Colombo.