Intrepid Travel has announced its largest acquisition to date, acquiring Dutch tour operator Sawadee Reizen from Travelopia. The landmark deal marks a significant expansion into the European market and reinforces Intrepid’s commitment to responsible, small-group travel.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, Sawadee is one of the Netherlands’ largest experiential tour operators, offering over 250 trips across 100 countries with a team of 180 employees worldwide.
A Strategic Growth Move
The acquisition, finalized on Jan. 31, 2025, will add $100 million in revenue and 20,000 new customers annually to Intrepid. This aligns with Intrepid’s ambitious 2030 Strategy, which aims to exceed $1 billion in revenue within the next five years. The deal also makes the Netherlands Intrepid’s fourth-largest source market, following Australia, the U.S. and the U.K.
Intrepid and Sawadee have partnered since 2011, with Intrepid DMC operating many of Sawadee’s tours, focusing on high-quality, immersive and responsible travel experiences. Sawadee maintains a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot, while Intrepid boasts an industry-leading NPS score of 81.5.
“We’re delighted to welcome the Sawadee team to Intrepid after more than a decade of successful collaboration,” said James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, in a press statement. “Our goal is to become the world’s largest vertically integrated experiential travel company, and this acquisition is a major step in that direction. We also share a belief that travel can be a force for good.”
Travelopia CEO Andy Duncan added, “Sawadee has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional travel experiences, expanding horizons, and connecting communities. We wish them continued success under Intrepid’s leadership.”
Under the new ownership, Sawadee will retain its name and brand identity, continuing operations from its Amsterdam headquarters. Managing Director Berend Simons will remain at the helm, reporting to Intrepid’s Managing Director EMEA, Zina Bencheikh.
For more information, visit intrepidtravel.com.
