Intrepid addresses Trump presidency, calls for inclusion & equality

Intrepid Travel has issued a statement, responding to Donald Trump’s presidential win, which was announced earlier this week, along with thoughts on how a Trump presidency will impact travel.

In a note shared with media, Leigh Barnes, Intrepid’s president of the Americas, made an “urgent call to deepen and define why we travel.”

“As a new era of American leadership begins, we feel a renewed commitment to our core values of inclusion, environmental responsibility, and gender equality. Some rhetoric and policies associated with the Trump administration diverge sharply from these principles, yet this moment reaffirms our mission to create positive change through the joy of travel,” Barnes wrote. “Because done right, we believe that travel can be a force for good.”

Barnes addressed the administration’s rhetoric around nationalism and closing borders.

READ MORE: Will U.S. tourism see a “Trump slump?” Travel pros sound off on presidential election

“In a time of global division, Intrepid believes that travel is the bridge bringing people together, connecting us across backgrounds, cultures, borders, and beliefs,” Barnes said. “We embrace community and connection and see diversity as one of our greatest strengths and opportunities.  Travel inspires empathy to open our hearts and minds. By embracing the richness of diverse cultures rather than isolating them, we remind ourselves—and the world—how deeply interconnected we really are.”

She said this vision “guides every journey we create, proving that respect and humanity transcend all boundaries.”

She goes on to say that travel is about “more than visiting new places; it’s about advancing shared values, protecting our planet, and fostering a more inclusive world.”

The statement also addresses Trump’s historic take on climate change.

“Over the years, the former Trump administration dismantled major climate policies and rolled back over 100 environmental rules governing clean air, water, wildlife and toxic chemicals, but we know that we all need to act for our planet’s future,” Barnes said. “Intrepid has been carbon-neutral since 2010 and has set ambitious science-based targets to halve our emissions by 2030. The decision reinforces our commitment to aspire to standards for responsible tourism. We cannot let the government’s potential inaction on climate stop the progress the travel industry has made.”

“The travel industry needs to continue stepping up to preserve the very places that our travellers and businesses rely on.”

Barnes also targets Trump’s position on gender equality, citing that Intrepid is concerned at the possible erosion of women’s rights under a Trump administration in America.

“When women lead, everyone benefits, and we need to continue advocating for women in leadership roles in the global travel industry. Intrepid believes in and champions gender equality and inclusiveness – through our business, with our people, on our trips and via our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation,” she said, noting the company’s Women’s Expeditions, which are designed to offer travellers a different perspective on a country while providing women employment through locally led experiences and women-owned and operated businesses.

Advancing shared values, protecting our planet, and fostering a more inclusive world – “at Intrepid, we invite our travellers, partners, and industry colleagues to stand with us in championing these principles,” Barnes said.

“We are committed to using our platform to build connections, drive sustainable change, and uphold the values of equity, justice, and community. Together, we can make travel a powerful force for good.”

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