Intrepid doubles donations to help transform elephant tourism in Thailand
Throughout June Intrepid will match donations to World Animal Protection Thailand up to$50,000
11 June 2026 - Twelve years after becoming the first global tour operator to remove elephant rides from its trips, Intrepid Travel is investing in the next phase of elephant welfare reform in Thailand.
Throughout June, Intrepid will match donations to World Animal Protection Thailand through The Intrepid Foundation, dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000, helping fund the transition of elephant tourism venues from rides and performances to higher-welfare sanctuary models.
According to World Animal Protection's latest assessment of Thailand's captive elephant tourism industry, 2,849 elephants are currently held across 236 tourism venues in Thailand. While elephant rides and shows have declined over the past decade, more than 1,200 elephants are still used for riding experiences, and two-thirds are kept in conditions World Animal Protection considers poor for welfare outcomes.
The campaign supports World Animal Protection's goal of transitioning three elephant venues in Thailand this year, enabling elephants to move freely, socialise naturally and live without forced interactions with tourists.
Funds raised will support venues like Ran-Tong Elephant Rescue Centre in Chiang Mai, home to 10 rescued elephants with improvements including chain-free night enclosures, enrichment facilities and observation-only visitor experiences at sanctuaries.
The campaign builds on Intrepid's long-standing connection with Thailand, the first destination the company operated in when it launched in 1989, and its ongoing commitment to responsible wildlife tourism.
Mike Stewart, General Manager Thailand, Intrepid Travel, said while progress had been made, thousands of elephants across Thailand were still living in tourism venues designed around entertainment rather than welfare. “This campaign supports practical solutions that improve elephant welfare while also supporting local communities and the livelihoods of elephant carers. It's about creating a tourism model that benefits both people and animals,” Stewart said.
Ben Pearson, Country Director, World Animal Protection Australia New Zealand said: “Every elephant deserves the opportunity to express natural behaviours, socialise with other elephants and live free from exploitation. This campaign will help more venues make the transition to higher-welfare models, creating better lives for elephants while meeting growing demand for responsible wildlife experiences.”
Donations are tax-deductible in Australia and the US, but meaningful for animal-lovers everywhere.
Learn more about the campaign here: https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/t/room-to-roam
ENDS
ABOUT THE INTREPID FOUNDATION
The Intrepid Foundation is the not-for-profit arm of Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, on a mission to create positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection. The registered charity does this by carefully selecting local partners who are creating positive solutions across a range of issues impacting the communities Intrepid travellers visit, from inequality and economic development to environmental restoration and wildlife protection. Since its inception in 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has disbursed over $20 million for more than 160 partners around the world. Intrepid Travel absorbs all administration costs so that 100% of donations can go directly to community causes and each of its 900+ itineraries is aligned to a local or global partner. Read the 2024 Integrated Annual Report, follow the Intrepid Foundation on Facebook and Instagram and Intrepid Travel on LinkedIn for more information. Read the full report here.
ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL
Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for 35 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of country offices in 33 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognised for their commitment to transparency and ethical travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018. Intrepid Travel is also the first tour operator with near-term science-based climate targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative, and its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has disbursed more than $20 million to more than 160 partners. For more information, download the company’s 2025 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.
For more information please contact:
Anuja Nadkarni, PR Manager, Intrepid Travel