For the first time in its 33 year history, the world’s largest travel operator Intrepid Travel has an all-female regional leadership team operating in Australia and New Zealand.
After a 12-month secondment leading Intrepid’s global accommodation strategy, Sarah Clark will lead the ANZ team as Managing Director, overseeing the business’s recently announced partnership with off-grid accommodation company, CABN.
Since joining Intrepid in 2018, Clark has held a number of senior leadership roles at the business across product development, sales and marketing in retail and tour operation in the UK, Canada and USA.
Also a board member of Tourism Tasmania, Clark said she is “thrilled” about her new role.
Some great work here by @Intrepid_Travel's responsible business team, sharing lots of insights with @UN_Women for their latest publication "Advancing women’s economic empowerment in the tourism sector in COVID-19 response and recovery" 🌏
Full read –> https://t.co/MxmQDZlokg pic.twitter.com/zN8UEY9ZVf— Mikey Sadowski (@MikeySadowski) May 11, 2022
“We’ve seen domestic travel return in waves and we are finally seeing the uptick and return of international travel as well,” she said. “I’m thrilled to be returning my focus to the Australian and New Zealand markets.”
“Intrepid has focused on increasing our number of female tour leaders and crew over the years and now I’m extremely proud to lead our first-ever all-female regional leadership team.”
“We know that solo female travellers are among our largest customer groups and with this team, we have ambitious plans to grow rapidly with purpose and ensure even more people can again explore the world with us.”
Joining Clark on the team will be Yvette Thompson, who will become the new General Manager of Sales & Partnerships.
“I am looking forward to working even more closely with our partners to deliver new opportunities as we continue to grow,” Thompson said.
“I’m also excited to be recruiting for a partnership manager, who will ensure we provide our agents and partners the support they need as travel rebounds.”
Other women in the all-female regional team include General Manager of Marketing, Louise Laing; General Manager of Inside Sales and Customer Experience, Julie Risteveski, and General Manager of Commercial Finance, Lauren McCormick.
Intrepid CEO James Thornton said he is pleased with this new ANZ team.
“I’m delighted to welcome Sarah back into the managing director role in Australia and New Zealand, particularly with the travel rebound well underway,” Thornton said.
“This region remains a key one for Intrepid and with this leadership team in place, I have no doubt we will grow rapidly in the months ahead.”