Intrepid Travel’s Commitment to Sustainable Supply Chains and Inclusive Growth
18 Mar, 2025
Intrepid Travel announced as Banksia Awards finalist
Intrepid Travel, a leading adventure travel company, has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious 36th National Banksia Sustainability Awards – Supply Chain and Responsible Procurement Category, sponsored by Informed 365. This recognition highlights Intrepid’s impressive efforts to embed sustainability and social impact throughout its global supply chain.
Liz Manning, Intrepid’s Global Responsible Supply Chain Manager, shared details on the company’s innovative supply chain initiatives.
“When we re-certified as a B Corp in 2021, we identified an opportunity to better track the local impact we’re creating through our supply chain,” explained Liz. “We’ve since implemented new systems to gather data on the ownership demographics of our suppliers, including the percentage that are locally-owned, women-owned, or owned by Indigenous or ethnic minority groups.”
Intrepid has set an ambitious goal that by 2030, 30% of its operational suppliers will be from diverse, underrepresented backgrounds. To support this, the company is proactively working to create more pathways and training programs, particularly for women, to become certified guides and tour leaders.
“In Morocco, for example, we’ve collaborated with the government to establish training courses that help prepare women to pass the guide certification exam, which was previously a male-dominated field,” said Liz.
Intrepid’s vertically integrated business model, with 30 global offices managing the majority of its own trips, also enables the company to have greater visibility and control over its supply chain compared to many traditional travel operators.
“Having our own in-country teams allows us to implement best practices and quickly respond to any issues that arise, whether it’s related to health and safety, human rights, or environmental impact,” Liz noted. “Transparency and continuous improvement are core to how we operate.”
The company’s commitment to sustainability and social impact extends beyond its supply chain. Intrepid is a certified B Corporation and was one of the first travel companies globally to achieve carbon-neutral certification. It also supports numerous community-based tourism initiatives and social enterprises in the destinations it operates.
Liz and the Intrepid team are thrilled to be recognised as Banksia Award finalists. “It’s a great opportunity to share the work we’re doing and hopefully inspire other travel companies to raise the bar on responsible procurement and supply chain management,” she said.
The 36th National Banksia Sustainability Awards Gala Dinner is being held in Melbourne on 3 April, 2025. Support Intrepid and the other finalists by booking your tickets to this wonderful evening here.
To read more about Intrepid’s initiatives and achievements, continue below.
A Unique Approach
Intrepid Travel has long been a pioneer in responsible tourism, setting the standard for sustainable and community-focused travel experiences. As a vertically integrated adventure travel company with over 35 years of experience, Intrepid operates with direct control over its trips through 30 country offices worldwide. This operational model ensures greater oversight, allowing the company to embed sustainability, ethical procurement, and social impact into every aspect of its business.
Unlike traditional travel companies that may rely heavily on local ground operators or third-party suppliers, Intrepid’s approach enables it to work directly with local, independent businesses. By prioritising authentic experiences such as home-cooked dinners with local families and visits to social enterprises, Intrepid not only enhances customer satisfaction but also ensures that tourism revenue benefits the communities it serves.
Supply Chain Measurement and Diversity Program
One of Intrepid’s key initiatives in advancing sustainability is its Supply Chain Measurement and Diversity Program. This program was launched in response to the company’s 2021 B Corp recertification, which identified gaps in tracking local and diverse supplier impact. As a result, Intrepid has implemented new systems to monitor the demographics of its suppliers, including locally owned businesses, women-led enterprises, and Indigenous or minority-owned companies.
The company has set an ambitious goal: by 2030, 30% of its operational suppliers will come from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Achieving this target presents challenges, as supplier diversity varies across different cultural and regulatory landscapes. However, Intrepid remains committed to overcoming these barriers by fostering local partnerships and supporting supplier development initiatives.
Women’s Empowerment Initiatives
Empowering women in the travel industry is a cornerstone of Intrepid’s mission. The company has long championed community-based tourism and women-led experiences, recognising that greater gender inclusion benefits both local economies and travelers seeking unique, culturally immersive trips.
In recent years, Intrepid has ramped up its efforts to collect data, set goals, and implement targeted programs for women in tourism. A key focus has been on breaking gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated roles, such as tour guiding. For example, in Morocco, Intrepid has worked with the government to encourage them to open its tour guide test to allow women to sit the exam. Intrepid has provides a free specialised training program that helps women prepare for the national guide certification exam.
Additionally, Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions provide exclusive access to female-only spaces in destinations where gender segregation is the norm. These expeditions, led by female guides, allow travelers to experience local cultures from a different perspective while directly supporting women’s employment and leadership opportunities in tourism.
Responsible Procurement at Intrepid
Sustainability and ethical sourcing are at the heart of Intrepid’s 2030 strategy. The company’s responsible procurement efforts ensures that its future growth aligns with sustainable practices and local community support. Intrepid is taking proactive steps to integrate responsible procurement across all areas of its business.
A key element of this strategy involves aligning with evolving regulatory requirements, such as the European Union’s human rights and modern slavery policies. Intrepid imposes stringent requirements on its suppliers, ensuring compliance with human rights standards and environmental sustainability. By embedding these principles into supplier contracts, Intrepid fosters accountability and drives positive change across the travel industry.
