If there was ever any lingering doubt about Australians and New Zealanders falling back in love with travel, Intrepid Travel has just packed it neatly into a suitcase and sent it first class to Europe.
The adventure travel giant has chalked up its strongest June performance on record, with month-to-date revenue across Australia and New Zealand surging an extraordinary 75 per cent year-on-year, while passenger numbers soared by an even more impressive 91 per cent.
And leading the charge? Europe is proving once again that when Aussies and Kiwis get itchy feet, a Mediterranean sunset still works wonders.
Bookings to Europe surged by a remarkable 161 per cent month-on-month during June as traveller confidence rebounded following the easing of tensions in the Middle East.
For Intrepid, Spain emerged as the undeniable star performer, recording 164 per cent year-on-year passenger growth. Greece followed closely behind with growth of 116 per cent, while Croatia (+98 per cent), Italy (+95 per cent) and Turkey (+78 per cent) all posted exceptional gains.
Intrepid Travel ANZ Managing Director Brett Mitchell said the rebound was swift once geopolitical concerns eased.
“Europe has been the standout performer for us this month. While we saw some travellers pause their plans during the period of uncertainty in the Middle East, confidence returned quickly once tensions began to ease and we saw an immediate uplift in bookings for key European destinations. Combined with strong demand and our current Europe sale, destinations like Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia have all delivered exceptional growth.”
The resurgence, however, extends far beyond Europe’s cobbled laneways and seaside tavernas.
Across Asia and the Americas, demand continues to accelerate. China delivered passenger growth of 229 per cent year-on-year; the United States jumped 236 per cent; Mexico climbed 115 per cent; and Vietnam increased by 110 per cent.
New Zealand travellers are also enthusiastically returning to the skies.
Trade sales across New Zealand rose 75 per cent year-on-year, supported by strong revenue growth to Spain (+205 per cent), Canada (+176 per cent), the United States (+176 per cent), China (+140 per cent), Italy (+105 per cent), Mexico (+100 per cent) and Japan (+85 per cent).
Interestingly, Vietnam emerged as the most popular destination among Kiwi travellers, with passenger numbers climbing 122 per cent year-on-year.
Another significant trend shaping the market is the continued rise of premium travel.
Intrepid’s Premium collection delivered 54 per cent revenue growth alongside a 65 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers. In New Zealand, premium demand proved even stronger, with revenue up 72 per cent and passenger numbers rising 87 per cent.
Mitchell said travellers are increasingly seeking comfort without sacrificing authenticity.
“We’re seeing growing demand from travellers who want the ease and comfort of a premium experience while still having authentic local connections. It’s one of the fastest-growing parts of our business and reflects a broader shift towards experience-led travel.”
The company is now capitalising on that demand by expanding its Premium range, introducing new itineraries in Greenland, Norway and Costa Rica, while simultaneously rolling out more than 50 new signature experiences across the portfolio.
For an industry that has weathered more turbulence than a long-haul flight through a summer storm, the latest figures provide another powerful signal that confidence has returned.
As Mitchell observed:
“These results show that travellers continue to prioritise meaningful experiences. They’re travelling with confidence again, they’re booking further ahead and increasingly they’re choosing higher-comfort experiences that remove the stress from travel while still delivering genuine local connections.”
With travellers once again planning further ahead, spending more and prioritising experiences over possessions, Intrepid’s record-breaking June may well be a sign of things to come for the broader travel sector.
For further information, visit: Intrepid Travel Official Website.
By: Christine Nguyen – © 2026.
Read Time: 3 minutes.
Author Bio:
Christine’s story is one of quiet courage, told without fuss and lived with remarkable grace. She arrived in Australia as a young refugee from Vietnam, carrying little more than hope, family, and a curiosity that refused to be extinguished. Sydney became home, built patiently, brick by careful brick.
She studied Tourism at TAFE and soon found her place in inbound travel, working with one of the city’s leading destination companies. Christine loved showing visitors the Australia that lives beyond postcards, warmer, truer, and far more interesting.
When the sea began to whisper, and life asked for a gentler rhythm, she listened. Designing brochures, writing blogs, she discovered storytelling waiting quietly inside her.
Today, at Global Travel Media, Christine writes with warmth and wisdom, reminding us, softly and persuasively, why travel still matters.
