kabarsula Intrepid posts record month as September departures top 35,000 bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Intrepid Travel carried more than 35,000 customers in September, its busiest month ever, with departed revenue up 11 per cent year on year.

The operator said growth was strongest in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Australians made up 43 per cent of travellers globally.

Morocco was the most popular destination worldwide, followed by Vietnam and Italy. Vietnam led for Australian travellers, followed by domestic travel (up 145%), Morocco, India and Egypt. New Zealanders favoured Vietnam, Morocco, Egypt (up 61%), Sri Lanka and Turkey.

Ecuador (up 93%), Argentina (up 59%) and Uzbekistan (up 40%) recorded the fastest growth in customer numbers.

Intrepid said the result reflected a return of traveller confidence after uncertainty in the Middle East earlier this year, along with the appeal of shoulder-season travel and continued demand for locally led experiences.

Intrepid Travel ANZ managing director Brett Mitchell said September was always popular for travellers seeking milder post-peak temperatures across Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa, “but this year the demand has been exceptional”.

“Despite rising cost pressures and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, travel remains a key aspiration for more people,” he said.

Close to home

Mitchell was recently appointed to the Great Walks of Australia board, so he has added a focus on the opportunity for Australian walking holidays and nature-based adventures.

“We’re seeing strong interest in getting outdoors and exploring closer to home,” Mitchell said, as Intrepid reported domestic travel up 145 per cent year-on-year in September. “Walking and nature-based travel are a natural fit for the kind of experiences we offer. They give people the chance to slow down, connect with a place and experience it beyond the usual tourist trail. Australia has some incredible landscapes to discover, and walking is a great way to experience them.”

Intrepid is also seeing strong interest in trips across Australia and New Zealand, alongside demand for active, nature-based experiences. Intrepid just launched more than 80 new trips for 2027, including more options closer to home for Aussies. In New Zealand, Hawke’s Bay, Aoraki/Mt Cook, the area around Mt Taranaki and Whakatāne are new destinations for Intrepid.

The new seven-day North Island Adventure includes Indigenous-led experiences, as does Australia’s new seven-day Brisbane to Sydney Adventure. Other new local trips include Cycle New Zealand: Alps to Ocean and Tasmania’s Freycinet Experience Walk.

“People are looking for different ways to travel, whether that’s discovering somewhere new overseas or finding an adventure closer to home. There’s plenty of opportunity to do both,” Mitchell said.

On a few international rising stars, Ecuador (+93%), Argentina (+59%) and Uzbekistan (+40%) were among Intrepid’s fastest-growing destinations in September. Vietnam also remains a firm favourite with Australian travellers.

“Travellers are continuing to look beyond the usual hotspots for somewhere different. Destinations like Ecuador, Argentina and Uzbekistan offer the kind of immersive, locally led experiences that people are looking for,” he said.

Family matters

Personally, Mitchell has just returned from family trip which featured an African safari, reflecting the growing interest from families with young children wanting to explore the world together, alongside continued demand for immersive, locally led experiences.

As a result, Intrepid launched new premium family trips this year with the family style of travel growing year-on-year, with YTD bookings currently up 5 per cent for Aussies. The most popular trips are Vietnam Family Holiday, Borneo Family Holiday and Japan Family Holiday but interestingly, the biggest jump in bookings for Central Australia & Uluru Family Holiday (3823%).

Mitchell added that Intrepid’s NPS finished ahead of target at 83 despite the volume of travellers.