We want to be open about the carbon footprint of our trips, so our customers can make informed choices. That’s why we’ve added carbon labels to 500 of our itineraries – including more than 100 of our most popular tours. In 2018, we became a certified B Corp and in 2021, we went even further, recertifying with an even higher score – from 82.7 to 91.2. This year we have achieved the best score yet at 102.5.

In 2024 our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation (TIF), welcomed nine new partners who are addressing social and environmental issues around the world. One example is Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), which works to reverse the global decline in whale and dolphin populations by creating safe seas, tackling cruelty and raising awareness of them as our allies in the fight against climate change.

Why have you chosen to champion sustainability in 2025?

Climate change is not a future threat — it’s here now. Last year was the hottest on record. We’ve seen flooding, wildfires and heatwaves in many destinations we love to visit, from rising sea levels impacting coastal communities to extreme flooding in Valencia last year, and most recently, the wildfires in Los Angeles. As an industry, the travel sector cannot ignore the fact that we contribute to climate change. 

By backing TTG Media’s initiative, we aim to share the valuable lessons we’ve learned along the way, demonstrate that sustainable travel can be exciting and enjoyable, and inspire others in the industry to embrace a more responsible future. Sustainability messaging has become confusing for agents, making it difficult to determine what truly benefits their clients, and the destinations they visit. We believe TTG’s programme helps them identify partners with credible, sustainable offerings that are also great fun.

What marketing advice or selling tips do you have for travel agents looking to sell more responsible travel?

While many clients may not explicitly request a sustainable trip, they still expect it. Our customers often become repeat travellers after witnessing the positive impact of their travel choices.

Sustainability is often perceived as requiring compromise or increasing costs for customers, but that’s not the case. They will have a fantastic experience while also enjoying the added feel-good factor of knowing their presence has a positive impact.

If you’ve joined a fam trip with a responsible tour operator, storytelling becomes a powerful way to inspire your clients to book a trip that makes a positive impact. Social media is an excellent platform for showcasing this — whether through plenty of photos or even a short video of your experience.

As part of our TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes initiative we’re seeking agent Ambassadors to champion promoting and selling responsible tourism. How are you planning on supporting these agents in their journey?

Talking about sustainability can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to start. We’re here to help agents take that first step – whether it’s confidently discussing choices with customers, showing how responsible travel enhances holidays, or highlighting the benefits of adopting sustainable practices in your business.

Building on the success of our 2024 Intrepid fam trip to Africa, we’re excited to announce another trip in 2025. We believe experiencing it firsthand is priceless, and we love nothing more than sharing what we do with as many agents as possible.

These TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors will have the opportunity to join a sustainability-focused Intrepid fam trip in 2025. What can they hope to experience and learn?

Sustainable travel is the most exciting style of travel, so we are looking forward to showing agents that it’s all about having genuinely local and authentic experiences including staying in locally owned, comfortable accommodation, eating in fantastic local restaurants and, of course, meeting the local people.

In true Intrepid style, agents can expect their fam trip to be led by the best local leader and with a small group of like-minded agents. They will get to see projects that empower and give back to the communities we visit. More details coming soon!

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF INTREPID’S 2024 FAM TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA