Happy Intrepid Day!

Intrepid Travel is in a celebratory mood and Torontonians are invited to join in the fun. The adventure travel heavyweight is marking its first-ever Intrepid Day today, with 31 of the Melbourne-based company’s country offices participating with “local events, storytelling and community activations around the world.”

“It’s a new annual initiative we’ve created to spotlight Intrepid’s mission: using the joy of travel to create positive change in the world,” says Leigh Barnes, Inrepid’s president of the Americas. “This is the very first time we’re celebrating it, and it’s happening globally. “Here in North America, we’re marking the occasion right here in Toronto this Thursday from 10 am to1 pm, with a big public celebration at Sankofa Square (formerly Dundas Square). We’re taking over the square with an immersive, travel-inspired experience. There’s a virtual passport activity to unlock rewards, a prize wheel with Intrepid swag, and hourly raffles where people can win a $500 Golden Ticket toward an Intrepid trip. It’s open to everyone and designed to inspire curiosity, connection, and community.

“We’re also using the day to make an impact. Through The Intrepid Foundation, we’re tripling all donations made on Intrepid Day to our global network of charity partners, including Water First here in Canada, which supports Indigenous communities through water education and training.

“We’re so excited to celebrate Intrepid Day for the first time in Toronto, with the public, and keep building on the incredible momentum we’re seeing here in Canada.”

Details of Intrepid Day can be found at https://www.sankofasquare.ca/calendar/2025/7/24/intrepid-day

Barnes labels Toronto a key hub for Canadian travel, and said it’s an exciting time for him to be Ontario’s capital given, “Canada is absolutely flying right now, and we’re seeing incredible momentum, so it’s a great moment to be on the ground. ”

Canadian business is up 50% year-over-year and Canada is currently leading in Intrepid’s North American market, with both short- and long-term travel intent stronger than ever, Barnes adds.

“Sales are on fire, and the response to our recent campaigns aimed at promoting domestic trips has been phenomenal,” Barnes continues. “What’s really exciting is how this momentum is accelerating into the fall. For example, November is tracking as our strongest month so far for 2025, with 71% year-over-year growth in passengers and 76% growth in revenue — a true blockbuster month for Canadian travel. Interestingly, December is shaping up just as strong, with 71% growth in passenger numbers year-over-year, showing Canadians are eager to travel even in the late fall and early winter shoulder season.”

Barnes reports that Intrepid is capitalizing on growing demand for adventure travel, including in Canada, where Intrepid is seeing a notable rise in interest for active and immersive experiences. “For example, cycling trips are up significantly here along with Walk & Trek trips seeing an uptick in Canada, while both are down in the U.S., further highlighting a distinct Canadian preference for active exploration,” he continues. “Whether it’s hiking through the breathtaking Canadian Rockies or trekking along the rugged coastal trails of the Maritimes, Canadians are embracing adventures that blend physical activity with authentic cultural connection. Domestically, the East Coast is booming, bookings were up 152% during our June sale that gave Canadians 20% off trips in Canada, and our Maritimes Highlights tour has seen such high demand that we’ve added additional autumn departures.”

Internationally, Intrepid reports strong demand for Vietnam among Canadian clients.

Meanwhile, Barnes said Intrepid continues to build a following throughout the world.

“We’re known as the world’s largest adventure travel company, offering trips on every continent and building a passionate community of travelers who return again and again,” he says. “Across our global platforms, Intrepid has a combined social media following of over 1.5 million, a highly engaged email community in the hundreds of thousands, and partnerships with thousands of travel agents around the world.”