KATHMANDU: Intrepid Travel, a global leader in responsible tourism, has achieved a record B Corp score of 102.5 in its second recertification, reaffirming its place among the world’s top purpose-driven businesses.

This latest score, up from 91.2 in 2021, reflects the company’s deepened commitment to diversity, sustainability, and inclusive growth at a time when many companies are scaling back on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts, according to the press release issued by the Intrepid Travel.

The B Corp certification—awarded to businesses that meet rigorous standards in social and environmental performance—is one of the most respected designations for mission-led companies. Businesses must score at least 80 points to be certified; Intrepid’s 102.5 places it among elite peers like Ben & Jerry’s (96), Natura & Co (101), and Patagonia (166). Notably, only 20% of B Corps with more than 1,000 employees have achieved a score over 100.

Meegan Marshall, Intrepid’s Chief People & Purpose Officer, emphasized the importance of staying the course in challenging times. “As other companies are pulling back from their DEI and ESG commitments, Intrepid is doubling down on our efforts,” she said. “Now is the time for businesses to reaffirm their role in building a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.”

According to the Intrepid Travel,  since its last recertification in 2021, Intrepid has made notable progress in multiple areas:

• Diversifying Its Supply Chain: The company increased its engagement with women and underrepresented suppliers from 17% to 27%, thanks to targeted measurement and outreach.
• Progressing Global Employment Equity: Intrepid created 33% more job opportunities globally while ensuring employees are paid a living wage in line with WageIndicator benchmarks.
• Empowering Customers: The company added carbon labels to over 500 trips, expanded its range of active travel offerings, and prioritized education about local environments, cultures, and histories.
• Doubling Community Investment: Through The Intrepid Foundation, community contributions doubled from AU$728,444 in 2020 to AU$1.4 million in 2023, supporting grassroots NGOs like Blue Dragon in Vietnam.

These efforts reflect Intrepid’s ambition to balance profit with purpose through a triple bottom line approach. As part of its ongoing journey, the company will soon launch its 2030 Impact Strategy to drive further progress in governance, sustainability, and social responsibility, the company said.

Intrepid originally became a B Corp in 2018, when fewer than 20 travel companies held the certification. Today, that number is nearly 200, signaling the sector’s growing recognition of ethical business practices. The recertification also comes after a record-breaking year in revenue and passenger growth for Intrepid.

With 35 years of experience, Intrepid Travel operates over 900 tours globally, built around local culture, responsible travel, and sustainability. The company manages its own destination management network across 28 countries, giving it unique local insights. Intrepid was the first tour operator to set science-based climate targets, and its not-for-profit arm, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised over $17.37 million for more than 160 partners.