Intrepid Travel has acquired a majority shareholding in Australian adventure tourism business and destination management company (DMC) Jump Out Of Bed (JOOB). This is the latest in a series of recent acquisitions, aimed at fueling growth and bolstering Intrepid’s global operational capability and DMC network.
Perth-based Jump Out Of Bed runs trips in every Australian state and territory (except Australian Capital Territory) with depots in locations such as Perth, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Hobart and Melbourne, among others. It also operates seasonally out of Darwin and Cairns. The DMC is made up of three brands: Walking company Inspiration Outdoors; adventure tour specialist Waratah Adventure Tours; and Perth kayaking business Sea Kayak Rottnest Island. Together they offer guided tours in Australia’s nature-based tourism destinations.
The Jump Out Of Bed acquisition will bolster the growth of Intrepid’s DMC in Australia, which was set up in 2021 to respond to the growing demand for local travel, and support Intrepid’s vertical integration structure. As part of the deal, Jump Out Of Bed CEO Simon Mendelawitz will join Intrepid as general manager of its Australian DMC.
Intrepid’s acquisitions in the past 12 months, includes a majority stake in Haka Tours and ANZ Nature Tours in New Zealand, specialists in nature-based and cultural tours, and Wildland Trekking in the U.S., which operates low-impact, eco-conscious guided treks in wilderness areas and national parks. These businesses complement and strengthen Intrepid’s global offering via its existing DMCs in 26 countries. These DMCs operate the majority of Intrepid’s trips, besides itineraries for other travel brands. Intrepid has also invested in the sustainable accommodation business, CABN.
In Australia, Intrepid has grown its range by 45 per cent since 2019 and offers 66 trips, in all states and territories (except ACT). These have a strong focus on active and outdoor experiences such as walking, trekking and cycling and First Nations inclusions. Intrepid’s three most popular itineraries in Australia reflect this—“Uluru & Kings Canyon”; “Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Adventure” and “Trek the Larapinta Trail”–all in the remote Northern Territory.
“We’ve built exceptional global operational capability over the years and Intrepid’s vertical integration has been a core part of our strategy. However, the missing piece has been our own DMC in Australia. JOOB completes the puzzle,” says James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel. “I’m delighted to welcome Simon and the JOOB team to Intrepid. Together, we will develop even more exceptional trips for our own customers, as well as other leading travel brands, taking more travelers to the most remarkable and rugged parts of Australia,” he added.
For more details, visit www.intrepidtravel.com.
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