Intrepid Travel and Air Canada Vacations announced a new partnership that will let Canadian travelers book the operator’s intimate adventure tours through the airline’s vacation portal starting this week.
Booking platform expands adventure options
The collaboration adds eight itineraries to the carrier’s online system and its network of travel advisors. Customers can combine a flight and an adventure package in a single checkout, a convenience the companies say will lower the effort required to plan a trip.
Among the routes are rail journeys through the Rockies, coastal explorations of the Maritimes and a trek across Newfoundland. Each program follows the tour provider’s format of small groups guided by local experts, with logistics handled by the operator.
One of the tours runs from Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick, showcasing regional culture and scenery. The other seven span various provinces, giving travelers a taste of the country’s geographic diversity.
Changing travel preferences drive growth
Domestic travel in Canada rose in the first quarter of 2026, with 69.1 million trips recorded, up 2.3 % from the previous year, according to Statistics Canada.
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A national survey of 2,000 Canadians found that 84 % consider a positive impact on local communities important, while 81 % believe a guide from the area deepens their connection to a place.
Bookings for the adventure operator in Canada grew 26 % year‑over‑year, making the market its fastest‑growing region worldwide. The rise suggests that purpose‑driven travel is moving beyond niche circles into mainstream demand.
From a practical standpoint, this means more people can choose experiences that align with their values without hunting down separate providers. The partnership simplifies things for both consumers and advisors.
Travel advisors will now be able to bundle a flight with an adventure itinerary on the same platform, reducing the need for clients to coordinate separate bookings. Advisors can package an Intrepid itinerary with a flight through the Air Canada Vacations booking journey, making it easier to recommend an experience‑rich trip.
Airline executive Nino Montagnese said the timing feels right, noting that experience‑rich travel is gaining importance among Canadians. “Intrepid has built its reputation on creating meaningful, locally led experiences that go beyond the traditional tourist itinerary, and that’s exactly the kind of travel we want to bring to more Canadians,” the vice president said.
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Operator president Christian Wolters highlighted the reach of the airline’s brand. “Air Canada Vacations is one of Canada’s most trusted travel brands, with an incredible reach across the country, and together we have an opportunity to introduce more Canadians to the depth and diversity of their own backyard,” he remarked.
Adventure travel becomes more accessible.
From a personal view, the deal could make adventure travel feel less exclusive. By placing these tours on a familiar booking site, the barrier to trying something new drops, potentially encouraging more families and solo travelers to explore beyond the usual city breaks.
Industry observers note that the move may signal a broader shift, as other tour operators could seek similar distribution channels. The ease of a single transaction may become a new standard for experience‑focused vacations.
Both companies expect the partnership to open a significant distribution channel at a time when demand for purpose‑driven trips is strong. By leveraging the carrier’s established platform, the tour provider hopes to attract a wider audience and sustain its growth momentum in the Canadian market.