The operator said the acquisition "signalled a major step into a new market and an ambition to grow its style of responsible small-group travel in Europe".
Amsterdam-headquartered Sawadee is one of the Netherlands’ largest experiential operators, offering more than 250 trips across 100 countries, staffed by a team of 180.
The acquisition, which was completed on Friday (31 January), will add €60 million (£50 million) in revenue and €3 million (£2.5 million) in earnings to Intrepid’s balance sheet, and deliver an additional 20,000 customers a year.
Intrepid said the deal would catapult the Netherlands into its top five source markets, behind Australia, the US and the UK, and support its strategy to grow into a AUD $1 billion (£500 million) a year business by 2030.
The two brands have worked together since 2011, with Intrepid’s DMC operating a number of Sawadee’s trips.
Intrepid chief executive James Thornton said bringing the two brands together would contribute to its mission to become "the world’s largest vertically integrated experiential travel company".
"We also both believe that travel can be a force for good in the world,” Thornton added. Travelopia chief executive Andy Duncan said he wanted to wish the team "success and continued growth" as a part of Intrepid.
Sawadee will continue to be led by managing director Berend Simons, who will report into Intrepid managing director EMEA Zina Bencheikh, and to operate under the Sawadee brand.
Thornton added Sawadee would seek, like Intrepid, to become B Corp Certified, building on its existing sustainability credentials, including holding the highest level of Travelife certification since 2014.
Intrepid recently recertified as a B Corp, recording an improved B Corp score of 102.5, up from 91.2 in 2021.
