Intrepid Travel has reported its strongest June on record across Australia and New Zealand with revenue up 75 per cent year-on-year (YOY) month-to-date (MTD) and passenger numbers up 91 per cent, driven by a sharp rebound in Europe bookings.
Europe bookings are up 161 per cent month-on-month as traveller confidence returned following easing tensions in the Middle East.
Spain was Intrepid’s fastest-growing European destination with YOY passenger numbers up 164 per cent, followed by Greece (+116%), Croatia (+98%), Italy (+95%) and Turkey (+78%).
The June 2026 figures point to a more confident Australian outbound market booking classic European itineraries again after uncertainty due to the period of unrest in the Middle East.
Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director Brett Mitchell linked the immediate uplift to renewed confidence and a current Europe sale.
“Europe has been the standout performer for us this month. While we saw some travellers pause their plans during the period of uncertainty in the Middle East, confidence returned quickly once tensions began to ease and we saw an immediate uplift in bookings for key European destinations,” he said.
“Combined with strong demand and our current Europe sale, destinations like Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia have all delivered exceptional growth.”
The growth extended across Asia and the Americas. China recorded 229 per cent YOY passenger growth, Vietnam was up 110 per cent, Mexico up 115 per cent and the US up 236 per cent.
New Zealand also delivered a strong result for the tour operator with trade sales up 75 per cent YOY. Revenue growth across key destinations included Spain (+205%), Canada (+176%), the US (+176%), China (+140%), Italy (+105%), Mexico (+100%) and Japan (+85%).
Vietnam was the top passenger destination for Kiwi travellers with YOY passenger numbers up 122 per cent.
Experiential travel gains momentum
Intrepid Travel’s Premium experience-led range was another standout. Globally, it delivered 50 per cent revenue growth and a 65 per cent increase in passenger numbers YOY.
In New Zealand, Premium bookings grew faster still with revenue up 72 per cent and passenger numbers up 87 per cent YOY.
The result coincides with an expanded Premium range, including new itineraries in Greenland, Norway and Costa Rica, plus more than 50 new signature experiences across the portfolio.
“We’re seeing growing demand from travellers who want the ease and comfort of a premium experience while still having authentic local connections. It’s one of the fastest-growing parts of our business and reflects a broader shift towards experience-led travel,” Mitchell said.
“These results show that travellers continue to prioritise meaningful experiences. They’re travelling with confidence again, they’re booking further ahead and increasingly they’re choosing higher-comfort experiences that remove the stress from travel while still delivering genuine local connections.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: The numbers read like a confidence barometer: the Middle East conflict paused European plans, then a sale and easing tensions saw bookings rebound. With Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia all trending up and increasing interest in Premium travel, demand lies in the destinations and the higher-comfort product that Aussie and Kiwi advisors already know how to sell.
