Intrepid Travel is doubling down on the youth travel market expanding its 18 to 35s range and launching a new global brand campaign, All In, designed to inspire the next generation of travellers.
Demand for Intrepid’s 18 to 35s range continues to grow, with bookings into 2027 up 14% year on year. The growth comes as younger travellers increasingly seek immersive, locally-led experiences over traditional youth holidays.
Since launching in 2018, Intrepid’s 18 to 35s range has grown to include 81 trips across 59 countries, with 16 new itineraries added for 2026 and further expansion planned for 2027. The expanded range spans everything from first-time backpacking adventures and wildlife encounters to active trips and cultural journeys. New trips include the 9-day Essential Uganda: Gorillas and Chimps, where travellers trek through Uganda’s rainforest in search of chimpanzees or the new 11-day Essential Sri Lanka, with opportunities to hike through Sri Lanka’s tea country and enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family.
Sri Lanka ALL IN
The investment is backed by new research commissioned by Intrepid, which highlights changing travel preferences among younger travellers. The study of more than 8,000 people across Australia, the UK, the US and Canada found:
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77% believe travelling with a local guide leads to a richer experience.
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86% say local guides give them greater confidence when travelling.
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67% would prioritise lesser-known destinations over heavily visited hotspots.
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83% want to visit places they don’t typically see on social media.
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87% say responsible travel influences how they choose to explore the world.
Supporting the expanded range is Intrepid’s new global brand campaign, All In, which captures the perspective of travelling on an Intrepid trip. Rather than focusing on bucket-list landmarks, the creative shows spontaneous moments, local connections and the experiences that come from seeing a destination through the people who know it best.
Erica Kritikides, General Manager of Experiences at Intrepid Travel, said: “Younger travellers are redefining what travel success looks like. Rather than simply ticking destinations off a list, they’re looking for deeper experiences, genuine local connection and opportunities to travel in a way that has a positive impact. We’re seeing strong growth in demand for our 18 to 35s range, with bookings currently up 14% into 2027. As more young people seek experiences that feel authentic, adventurous and purpose-driven, we’re continuing to invest in products and campaigns that meet them where they are and inspire them to go further.”
