Intrepid Travel marked the first-ever global Intrepid Day with celebrations across 31 countries, spotlighting the power of purpose-led travel and the people behind it.
The new initiative, held on 24 July, was created to honour the company’s global community of tour leaders, local partners, travellers and team members. Timed to reflect the company’s 24/7 international presence, the event is set to become an annual fixture, reinforcing the brand’s long-term commitment to community-focused travel.
What happened on Intrepid Day?
Pop-up activations and community-led events took place around the world, with flagship activities staged in Melbourne, Toronto and London.
In Australia, Collins Street in Melbourne, home to the company’s global HQ, hosted a public street event with giveaways, social media collaborations and a ‘Spin the Wheel’ competition offering discounts and goodie bags. The day also included more than 1,000 free Urban Adventures tours gifted to travellers globally.
$150,000 raised for grassroots projects
Intrepid Day generated a significant fundraising outcome for The Intrepid Foundation, the company’s not-for-profit arm.
In one day, the global Intrepid community raised AUD $50,000—more than doubling the original $24,000 target. Combined with existing support, the initiative has delivered a total impact of AUD $150,000, set to be distributed across 50+ grassroots partners worldwide.
More than 500 individual donations were made between 7am and midnight AEST, helping to build awareness and support for local partners.
Top fundraising offices and beneficiaries included:
- Morocco: Amal Association
- New Zealand: Forest & Bird
- Ecuador: Galapagos Conservancy
- Sri Lanka: Zero Plastic
- India: Positive Change for Marine Life
- Japan: Japan Rescue Association
- North America: National Parks Conservation Association
- Central America: Adelante and Gastromotiva Mexico
- Thailand: World Animal Protection and EcoThailand
- Cambodia: Cambodia Rural Students Foundation
- Nepal: Sagarmatha Next
A further 139 donations went to The Intrepid Foundation’s general fund.
Regional highlights from the global celebration
Melbourne (ANZ):
Olympic gold medallist Noemie Fox, chef Brendan Pang, creators Lucy Neville and Aurelia St Clair, and the North Melbourne Football Club all took part in the celebrations. In partnership with Investa, the team held a street activation outside HQ with games, travel vouchers, and merchandise giveaways.
Toronto (North America):
An estimated 100,000 people engaged with the Sankofa Square event, which featured merchandise giveaways, prize draws and live ‘Intrepid List’ readings. A $500 trip voucher was also up for grabs.
London (EMEA):
UEFA Women’s Championship fans were surprised with travel giveaways and Intrepid merch, while staff and partners took part in an Urban Adventures walking tour of Brixton in collaboration with Unseen Tours.
Each activity aimed to foster community pride and celebrate the diverse cultures that the company engages with daily through its trips and partners.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Intrepid Day reflects a growing consumer and industry appetite for travel that delivers genuine impact. For agents, it highlights the value of aligning with brands that prioritise people and planet and demonstrates how meaningful activations can translate into brand equity and trade support.
