Intrepid is introducing a range of trips for 18 to 29 year olds as it announces plans to ditch its direct-sell Geckos Adventures brand.
All Geckos Adventures’ product – currently sold mainly through its Australian business and not well-known to the UK trade – will be merged into the new trade-friendly range under the Intrepid brand.
The move aims to tap into growing demand for sustainable, immersive local experiences from millennials, according to the operator.
Geckos Adventures, which has been part of the group since 2013 and competed with Intrepid’s Basix range, will be dropped in October.
A dedicated Intrepid 18 to 29s brochure of youth itineraries will be produced later this year, with product ranging from camping in Iceland to surfing in Morocco.
Intrepid is also expanding the 18-29 range range with 20% more departures and new destinations of Iceland and Russia for 2019.
It will be priced at the same level as Intrepid’s Basix range and provide a “stress free alternative” to backpacking and big bus tours for “socially conscious millennials”, said group chief executive James Thornton.
He cited Intrepid’s larger customer base for the decision to launch the range under its brand. The UK reported a 15% increase in departures last year from the 18-29 age group.
He said: “We know this is the right decision. Intrepid has four times the number of travellers aged 18 to 29 as Geckos.
“It’s a global brand, whereas Geckos is almost entirely sold in Australia. Focusing on the power of our global brand on the youth market is just another way we can invest in sustainable travel for the long-term.”
He added: “This age group will increasingly influence travel trends. Their buying decisions can help to reduce demand for activities like visiting orphanages or riding elephants.”