Intrepid Travel has bought into JOOB, an Australian adventure tourism business and destination management company, as the global tour operator looks to expand its operations in Australia as domestic tourism ramps up.
Intrepid will take a 60 per cent stake in JOOB (Jump Out Of Bed), its fourth acquisition in 12 months aimed at increasing growth and bolstering Intrepid’s global operational capability and DMC network in 26 countries.
Perth-based JOOB runs trips in almost every Australian state and territory (except ACT) and has operational bases across the country. It consists of three brands: walking company Inspiration Outdoors, adventure tour specialist Waratah Adventure Tours and Perth kayaking business Sea Kayak Rottnest Island.
Under the deal, JOOB CEO Simon Mendelawitz will join Intrepid as General Manager of its Australian DMC, established in 2021, to tap into the growing demand for domestic travel.
Intrepid has grown its Australian range by 45 per cent since 2019 and offers 66 trips across the country (except ACT) with a strong focus on active and outdoor experiences and First Nations inclusions.
The addition of JOOB will add more than 30 extra tours to expand to 96 trips in Australia.
In the past 12 months, Intrepid has also acquired majority stakes in Haka Tours and ANZ Nature Tours in New Zealand and US-based Wildland Trekking as well as investing in CABN, a sustainable accommodation business.
Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton said that while the tour operator has built exceptional global operational capability, an Australian DMC was the missing piece from the strategy.
“JOOB completes the puzzle and I’m delighted to welcome Simon and the JOOB team to Intrepid,” he said.
“Together, we will develop even more exceptional trips for our own customers, taking more travellers to the most remarkable and rugged parts of Australia.”
JOOB CEO Simon Mendelawitz added: “We believe adventure, giving back to communities and having some fun along the way are all important and that’s why we’re such a perfect fit for Intrepid.”
“We bring decades of operational experience and know-how in Australia and I’m incredibly excited to join the team and to continue to build exceptional adventures together.”
For more, visit intrepidtravel.com/au
