Intrepid Travel has unveiled new sustainable travel experiences designed to benefit local communities, thanks to an exclusive partnership with MEET (Mediterranean Experience of EcoTourism) Network Association.
The association is a group of Mediterranean parks founded by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature which creates ecotourism products that support conservation.
The partnership is part of Intrepid’s focus on rebuilding responsibly and helping travellers ensure their trip has a positive impact on local communities.
Intrepid has included MEET experiences within two of its new tours to lesser-visited regions of Croatia and Crete, with more to come across Europe and the Mediterranean over the next few months.
The five-day Croatia: Sibenik and the Kornati Islands tour includes the chance to meet artisans and artists in Sibenik and learn about olive oil production on the Kornati Islands.
The seven-day Highlights of Crete holiday (pictured) also offers departures from August 14. It starts in Heraklion and ends in Chania, and includes the famous archaeological site of Knossos, the fishing village of Sougia, Agia Irini Gorge and an ecotourism experience in the village of Agios Ioannis.
Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid Travel’s EMEA managing director, said: “These projects will bring visitors to areas away from the usual tourist trail, while protecting their cultural heritage and preserving their ecosystem.
“These are genuinely authentic and unique experiences for our travellers and they demonstrate that tourism really can be a force for good.”
Nizar Hani, MEET president and director of Shouf Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon, said: “MEET’s partnership with Intrepid Travel is a great step to highlight the priceless value of the Mediterranean parks to responsible travellers.”