TORONTO — Intrepid Group, the multi-brand travel company consisting of Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures, Urban Adventures and more, is now officially the world’s largest B-Corp certified travel company.
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose, says Intrepid. After a three-year accreditation process, the certification “represents Intrepid’s commitment to use business as a force for good”.
Intrepid cites recent studies that show the demand for travel to have a positive purpose is growing. According to the global Sustainable Travel Report by Booking.com, the majority of Canadian travellers (87%) say they want to travel sustainably. And according to the most recent Nielsen Global Survey of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, 66% of global respondents said they’re willing to pay more for products and services that come from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact, up from 55% in 2014.
Intrepid Group (with a new website at https://www.intrepidgroup.travel/) got its start 30 years ago and specializes in small-group, locally-led and locally-sourced tours with the mantra ‘Changing the way people see the world’.
“Now, as the world’s largest adventure company, our ethos hasn’t faltered; in fact, as a business, we see a greater need to provide sustainable tourism for our 250,000+ travellers every year,” says Intrepid. “It was one thing to say we were a sustainable tour operator and another to prove it. The certification means more than a stamp of approval. The certification represents Intrepid’s commitment to upholding the highest level of social and environmental standards – over profit.”
The company adds that the three-year process assessed and verified Intrepid’s ‘Purpose Beyond Profit’ approach including what percentage above the minimum wage the lowest-paid workers receive, how diverse the board and executives are and whether there is a company-wide recycling program.
