SANDAKAN: Key leaders from Intrepid Travel,the world leader in responsible travel, made a special visit to the Responsible Elephant Conservation Trust’s (RESPECT) Borneo Pygmy Elephant Project site in Kinabatangan, Sabah.
Intrepid Foundation works with Respect to manage the human-elephant conflict by overseeing large-scale habitats in Sabah to protect the pygmy elephants. Borneo pygmy elephants are considered endangered, with only 1,500 remaining in the wild.
The primary threat to these elephants is habitat loss as their forests become fragmented due to human encroachment and the elephants can no longer travel along their traditional migration routes.
Intrepid takes many travellers through Sabah, and the Borneo pygmy elephant is often considered one of the ‘Big Five’ wildlife to spot. Those fortunate enough to see these majestic animals in the wild often describe it as a highlight of their trip. Malaysia is a key destination for Intrepid,employing 13 staff, 38 local trip leaders, and operating nine trips across the country.
In 2023, it supported 3,912 travellers to explore Malaysia in a conscious manner.
The key leaders from Intrepid Travel who visited RESPECT’s Borneo Pygmy Elephant Project included the Managing Director of Asia, Natalie Kidd, the Chief Operating Officer, Tom Beadle, and the General Manager of Malaysia, Felice Tseu.
They were also joined by the Chairman of Respect, Alex Yee.
Respect’s Chairman, Alex Yee, remarked, ‘I am pleased to have the Intrepid Foundation walking together with Respect and giving us support in both awareness and funding for a food corridor for the pygmy elephants.
The weight of carrying a project of this scale is made lighter with genuine partners like the Intrepid Foundation.’
Intrepid Travel’s Managing Director of Asia, Natalie Kidd, said, ‘Our visit to Malaysia is a great opportunity to develop our relationship further with the Intrepid Foundation’s partner Respect and see their efforts in protecting the endangered pygmy elephants.
‘We will also use this time to connect with our Malaysia team, look at future opportunities for investment and development in the country, and monitor the progress and implementation of our global 2030 strategy’.
Last month, Intrepid Travel’s co-founder and chairman,Darrell Wade, visited the Malaysia team to share the business’ 2030 strategy.
This strategy involves a global ambition to double its global customer base to 600,000 (320,000 in 2023), achieve revenues of AUD $1.3 billion (621 million in 2023), and contribute 1 percent of revenue to purposeful initiatives.
Intrepid plans to deepen its vertical integration to expand into areas including accommodation and grow its presence in key countries, including Malaysia.
