Joining Exodus, TrekAmerica and Grand American Adventures under the Evolution Travel Collective is a fourth partner, Dragoman Overland Travel.
The operator with 378 overland adventures in 55 countries, which has been represented by Intrepid Group since 2008, signed up for Evolution Travel Collective’s representation this week.
Pete Rawley, CEO and Founder of Evolution Travel Collective, is excited to welcome Dragoman to the ETC fold. Having worked with Dragoman from previous roles, he is very familiar with the product offering and has a personal affinity with the Overland style of travelling.
Dragoman Owner, Charlie Hopkinson, said the move would allow the brand to further invest in two fast-growing markets – Australia and New Zealand.
“We have employed our own reservations team in Melbourne to help our Agent partners with their bookings and we are thrilled to have engaged ETC to represent our team at an industry level.”
Charlie Hopkinson, Dragonman Owner
Darrell Wade, a Co-founder of Intrepid and part owner in Dragoman Overland Travel explained the reasoning behind the move, saying that it would allow Dragonman to grow and stand apart from Intrepid rather than “in its shadow”.
Wade went on to reiterate that this move will allow Dragoman to make their own choices regarding representation and distribution partners within the region whilst enabling them to fully capitalise on the growing thirst for ‘authentic overland experiences’.
“Intrepid and Dragoman will remain very close corporate friends, as apart from aligned shareholders, they also share very similar values.”
Darrell Wade, Intrepid Travel Co-Founder
Likewise, Rawley echoed Wade’s sentiments that “ETC are looking forward to the opportunity to work with Dragoman and industry partners to expand on the recent growth of the brand within the Australia and NZ market”.