Sacred Valley Peru: Intrepid Travel Pushes for Sustainable Tourism in a New Era

Published on August 24, 2025

Intrepid Travel, the planet’s biggest adventure travel company, is driving the global movement toward responsible travel with a bold new initiative. You can catch them in The Global Sustainable Tourism Council‘s first-ever online series, Travel Redefined: Tourism for People and Planet. The series highlights the urgent need to make sustainability the main focus of travel, and Intrepid is setting the example. They want to show the whole world how travel can work hand-in-hand with the planet and the communities travellers love visiting.

In Travel Redefined, Intrepid is proving that travel can be a true force for good. Sustainability is the heartbeat of the initiative, and the series is packed with stories that show how travel can spark positive social, cultural, environmental, and economic change. Adventures can champion local cultures, protect coastlines, and fuel economies, all in one trip. This series is more than a talking point; it’s a rallying cry for everyone, from industry leaders to vacationing families. By spreading the word and championing responsible practices, it is possible to fight overtourism, climate change, and habitat destruction, proving that the future of travel can, and should, be green.

The series, made in partnership with Content With Purpose, brings together inspiring real-life stories and smart tips from pioneers and groups that are leading the way in sustainable tourism. It features local communities and shows how eco-friendly projects are shaping travel everywhere. These tales open fresh viewpoints on where tourism is heading and how travellers can all journey with a lighter footprint.

The Sacred Valley of Peru: A Hub for Sustainable Practices in Tourism

In the first episode of the series titled Intrepid: Purpose-Led Travel, local team members Fernando Rodriguez, Maritza Chacacanta, and Alejandrina Vega Punal journey through the remote mountainous communities of Peru’s Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley is one of Peru’s most iconic regions, steeped in history and culture. It is also a prime example of how tourism can drive sustainable change.

While exploring this breathtaking valley, the team visits the porters’ warehouse in Ollantaytambo, known as the gateway to Machu Picchu, and witnesses firsthand the ways in which Intrepid contributes to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region. The company’s efforts not only aim to support the local economy but also promote the preservation of cultural traditions through responsible tourism. By prioritizing sustainable practices, Intrepid helps maintain a delicate balance between cultural heritage and economic development.

Purpose-Led Tourism: Strengthening Local Communities Through Responsible Travel

The Travel Redefined series not only showcases sustainable practices but also emphasizes the need for collective action within the travel industry. In an interview with James Thornton, Intrepid’s CEO, the company’s approach to leveraging its global scale to create positive social change is highlighted. Intrepid aims to show that sustainability is not a competitive advantage but rather a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across the travel industry.

As travelers become increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint, Intrepid’s message becomes even more relevant. The company’s work in the Sacred Valley of Peru exemplifies how tourism can be done in a way that benefits local communities, preserves cultural heritage, and supports sustainable economic growth. Through this series, the company calls on other travel operators to embrace these principles and contribute to the collective effort of responsible tourism.

A Growing Global Movement Toward Sustainable Tourism

The launch of Travel Redefined comes at a pivotal moment for the tourism industry. According to the World Tourism Barometer, global international tourist arrivals grew by 5 percent in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year, signaling a record-breaking year for global tourism. This growth underscores the urgency of rethinking how the industry operates to ensure it contributes to sustainability and global well-being.

The GSTC’s Randy Durband emphasized that Travel Redefined serves as a powerful reminder that every journey holds the potential to leave a lasting, positive legacy. Many of the organizations featured in the series, which are members of the GSTC, have already embedded sustainability into their operations. These real-world examples highlight the difference that can be made when tourism aligns itself with the values of environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

Filming Sustainable Practices Across Six Continents

Filmed on six continents and spanning over 50 filming days, Travel Redefined created a series of 24 cinematic short films, 22 thought leadership videos, and 10 expert interviews. These films document the diverse ways tourism can promote sustainable practices, such as biodiversity conservation, carbon reduction, green mobility, and responsible waste management. The series also covers equitable economic development, cultural preservation, and accessible tourism experiences.

Max Smith, the founder of Content With Purpose, explained that the series reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability, from utilizing local film crews to showcasing the stories of communities working to protect the planet. He believes the series shows that a flourishing, sustainable tourism industry is not just a distant goal, but something already unfolding in real-time.

The Future of Travel: A Shared Responsibility

For anyone who loves to explore new places, the new Travel Redefined series is more than another show on the schedule; it’s a backstage pass to sustainable tourism in action. Enthusiasts can meet the surfers teaching each other eco-friendly methods in California, then jump over to the Philippines, where local heroes are restoring coral reefs. The stories prove that mindful travel can uplift both the people who welcome travellers and the land itself.

What sticks is the clear takeaway: each trip can steer the world toward a greener tomorrow. As more of backpackers search for experiences that feel right in their hearts and on the planet, a series like Travel Redefined is the perfect co-pilot. It hands them easy, smart choices to sprinkle into the next travel plan so one can create ripples of good the moment the plane lifts off.