Q: Erica, why have you decided to launch this new range of family holidays now?
A: Family travel isn’t new for Intrepid. We’ve been running family trips for many years, but we’re always learning from families about what they need from their holidays and where we can keep improving.
Over time, that has shaped the way the range has grown. These days we have different types of Family itineraries – from cultural tours with a variety of experiences for parents and kids of all ages, to active Family adventures for families who want to really get out and explore, to trips designed specifically for families with teenagers, and now Premium Family range.
We’re seeing encouraging demand for small group tours for Families, with family bookings up 19% year on year, but we’re also very aware this is still a style of travel many family travellers are only just discovering.
In a recent survey we conducted with family travellers we found that only 14% of people were familiar with small group trips for families.
But what’s interesting is that when they learned about the concept, they were overwhelmingly (77%) interested. That tells us there’s a real opportunity to keep explaining the category better and to keep designing trips around what families actually want.
Q: So this is more of an evolution than an entirely new concept?
A: As a parent, I know family holidays can be incredibly rewarding, but they can also take a lot of planning.
Holiday time is precious and families want to spend it making memories together, not worrying about the next transfer, activity or meal.
When we spoke to customers, we heard a consistent message: they want ease and convenience but not at the expense of the experiences that make travel meaningful.
That’s really where Premium Family comes in. It’s the next evolution of our family range, shaped by that feedback offering four-and-a-half star rated stays, more inclusions and a slightly slower pace, while still keeping the immersive, local experiences that sit at the heart of an Intrepid trip.
Q: There are eight new trips in the range. Can you highlight a couple that you’re particularly excited about?
A: Definitely India Golden Triangle Premium Family. It’s one of those destinations that’s on so many families’ wish lists, but travelling there with children can feel a little daunting if you’re organising it yourself.
What I love about this trip is that families get all the magic of India, from the iconic Taj Mahal to some special experiences like wildlife safaris and learning Bollywood dance moves.
Families get the opportunity to experience local life with a hands-on cooking class in a family home while also staying in some amazing accommodations like former royal palaces.
Egypt is another favourite (Egypt Premium Family Holiday). So many kids grow up fascinated by Ancient Egypt so seeing those famous sites in person is pretty special.
The three-night Nile cruise is a real highlight, but for me it’s often the smaller moments that stay with people like sharing a meal with a local family or hearing stories from your leader that help bring a destination to life. Those are often the memories families talk about long after they get home.
If I can add another – Borneo Premium Family Holiday is great too.
While it’s always been a popular destination for our family product, the premium range is really elevated with the inclusion of an exclusive overwater villa on Gaya Island, where you can plant coral and enjoy kayaking, snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding or scuba diving amid rich marine life.
Q: Why do you think family travel is so popular right now?
A: Life is busy and holidays are one of the few opportunities families have to properly switch off and spend quality time together. But as any parent knows, travelling with kids isn’t always relaxing.
Planning an itinerary, figuring out what everyone wants to do and keeping children entertained can sometimes feel like a lot of work.
So the idea of a pre-planned itinerary with activities, accommodation, transfers all taken care of sounds really appealing.
Parents don’t have to spend every minute organising the next activity or transfer and kids genuinely love travelling with other kids.
Our family trips are designed by parents, so we know it’s all about balance. Yes, families want incredible experiences and the chance to experience different cultures, but they also want downtime.
Sometimes a pool and a slow afternoon are just as important as a big day of sightseeing.
Q: If this new range goes well, can you see further expansion down the line?
A: Absolutely. We initially launched with five destinations and have already added another three, which has been really exciting.
We’re always listening closely to our customers and looking at where families want to travel next.
There are so many destinations where travelling with a local leader and a small group can make exploring easier, particularly in places that might feel more complex to navigate independently.
So there’s definitely room to grow this range further.
Q: What kind of experience and memories do you hope people on these new tours will take away with them?
A: I hope families return home with stories they’ll still be telling years later. Time together is incredibly valuable and travel has a unique way of creating those moments of connection.
Families consistently tell us that their local leader becomes one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Great family leaders have an amazing ability to engage both children and adults, creating an experience that feels fun, welcoming and effortless.
Many parents are surprised by just how relaxing a guided family holiday can be. The logistics are handled, but there’s still plenty of flexibility to enjoy the journey together.
Ultimately, if families come home feeling more connected to each other and with memories they’ll talk about for years to come then we’ve done our job.
