When Intrepid Travel grew to become a B Corp, we signed up for the very best requirements of social and environmental efficiency – which means being clear with our travellers and neighborhood. And with the discharge of Intrepid’s 2021 Integrated Annual Report, the stats are formally in. Here’s all the great things that went on behind the scenes in 2021.
How do you know Intrepid is altering journey for good? How do you know you’re travelling with an moral operator? It’s a good query. It’s straightforward for a corporation to speak a very good sustainability recreation. But placing it into follow? That’s a complete new kettle of sustainable fish.
With the discharge of Intrepid’s 2021 Integrated Annual Report, we wish to maintain ourselves accountable and present travellers precisely what it takes to be the world’s main small group journey firm This is only a snapshot of all the great we achieved in 2021, together with some issues we wish to do higher. It’s documented. It’s open to everybody. You can brew your self a pot of tea and skim the complete factor cowl to cowl (if that’s your thought of a very good time).
Here are 21 highlights from our 2021 impression report.
- In 2021, we re-certified because the world’s largest journey B Corp, which took a lot of labor. We even elevated our B Corp rating by practically 10 per cent. For those that don’t know, B Corp is a rigorous certification, achieved by companies that steadiness function and revenue. You can test Intrepid’s efficiency over right here.
- We’ve been 100 per cent carbon impartial since 2010 and formally licensed Climate Active since 2018. As a signatory and launch associate of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, we’re planning to halve our emissions by 2035 and hit internet zero by 2050 (and even sooner, if we will handle it).
- As a part of that course of, in 2021 we reviewed our top-selling journeys and eliminated flights from 5 itineraries in Borneo, Cuba, Cambodia, Vietnam and Egypt. That’s roughly 3,000 flights Intrepid clients received’t be taking in 2022.
- In 2021, we launched a brand new model of journey: Intrepid Premium, the low-impact possibility for higher-end adventures. This means you may discover the world within the Intrepid means that you already know and love, however with a number of extra comforts, together with handpicked lodging and particular inclusions.
- Since 2002, our not-for-profit group, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised greater than $12 million in direction of the individuals and locations our journeys go to. In 2021, with assist from our neighborhood, we raised over $500,000 and positively impacted 30,778 lives world wide.
- In partnership with our pals at MEET Network, we launched three new journeys to protected areas within the Mediterranean final yr. These eco-tours embody Lastovo Island and Kornati Islands National Park in Croatia, plus Samaria Gorge National Park in Crete. Each one was designed to help nature conservation and profit native communities.
- The Intrepid Foundation’s marketing campaign for UNICEF Australia’s Give the World a Shot fundraiser, 28,233 individuals in low-income nations had been capable of entry COVID-19 vaccines, serving to to avoid wasting lives and restart economies.
- In 2020 we grew to become the primary tour operator on the planet to undertake verified science-based targets for emission reductions. In 2021, backed that up with a 25-page carbon measurement information to assist different journey firms decarbonize their operations. Check out our Carbon Measurement Toolkit for more information.
- Fast Company recognised us as one of many world’s most progressive firms in each 2021 and 2022, for our management in international vaccine fairness, sustainability and climate-safe journey.
- The Intrepid Foundation backed progressive, nature-based local weather change options, together with Australia’s Blue Carbon Lab, which researches and restores coastal wetlands. These underwater forests act as big carbon sinks, drawing down and storing carbon 30-50 occasions quicker than bushes.
- We’re critical about constructing stronger relationships with First Nations Australians. Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, contains over 90 actions to advance our contribution in 4 key areas: relationships, respect, alternatives, and governance.
- As a worldwide tour operator, we work with tonnes of companies to make our journeys a actuality. In 2021, our provide chain supported greater than 28,000 employees. And 45 per cent of them had been ladies. That means your journey immediately helps jobs and livelihoods in native communities.
- In 2021, we signed the pledge to turn into Nature Positive. That means we’re on a mission to raise nature in our enterprise, share case research and learnings, and perceive how our enterprise impacts the pure world.
- We partnered with WWF Australia on chosen Antarctica voyages to help marine analysis into the migratory patterns of whales. This is nice for whales (clearly), but additionally for travellers. You can now get hands-on expertise with Antarctic citizen science applications.
- Last yr, extra of our clients loved First Nations experiences in Australia than ever earlier than. In truth, we elevated the variety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences on our journeys by 300 per cent.
- We consider we will do extra good by working with different like-minded firms. Last yr, 21 per cent of our suppliers had been social enterprises or not-for-profit organisations.
- We grew to become a founding member of the Indigenous Tourism Collaborative of the Americas and signed the pledge to foster significant connections with Indigenous individuals. We additionally launched new journeys within the United States to introduce travellers to extra numerous and inclusive experiences.
- Along with different journey B Corps, we based Travel by B Corp within the UK. It’s a collaboration between aligned however impartial journey firms, that are all B Corp licensed. It’s a great spot to start out should you’re on the lookout for sustainable tour choices.
- Two of our tour leaders had been shortlisted as a few of the greatest within the enterprise in 2021. Well completed to Matty Dyas from the UK and Thilantha Abeysinghe from Sri Lanka! Each of was shortlisted as Tour Leader of the Year on the 2021 Wanderlust Awards.
- The Intrepid Foundation’s tree-planting marketing campaign raised $16,670 for our Eden reforestation undertaking within the Kijabe Forest in Kenya. This undertaking goals to regenerate a as soon as forested space whereas additionally creating employment alternatives for marginalized teams within the area.
- In 2021, we launched our moral advertising and marketing pointers to verify we help extra numerous storytellers and voices in our enterprise, and to assist preserve us accountable. You can get in contact with us, should you assume we aren’t strolling the discuss. Drop us a line at accountability@intrepidtravel.com
Want to study extra about Intrepid’s mission to alter journey for good? You can take a look at our Purpose over right here. If you wish to learn our newest Annual Report, you’ll find a duplicate right here.