Picture this: you’re bathing in hot spring waters in the Costa Rican jungle with a small group of like-minded travellers, when your local guide, Alan, lights several candles and places them carefully around, before offering everyone in the group a relaxing head massage. There’s no other travellers around – just a handful of locals and the sound of Costa Rica’s tropical birdlife for company. 

“It wasn’t even on the itinerary, it was just Alan, showing us what he loves about his home,” says Travel Counsellor Claire Spicer, as she fondly recalls some of her favourite moments on her latest trip with Intrepid Travel. 

Claire joined the travel industry in 2019, but it wasn’t until 2024 that she experienced her first group tour. Little did she know it was the beginning of how she shaped her business into what it is today. 

Claire Spicer

“It’s only really been in these past two or three years that I found out my passion was selling experiential travel,” she says. “I just fell in love with group touring.” 

Now, as a self-proclaimed group tour enthusiast, Claire tries to book herself a winter touring holiday every year – the past two being with Intrepid to Costa Rica and India. 

“As someone who usually organises everything, [group tours] are a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.” She says. “I can truly enjoy the destination and be fully immersed in it.”

Enriching experiences

For Claire, the highlight of travelling with Intrepid is the local guides. “They’re just a fount of knowledge. They’ll talk to you about anything from local politics to their grandma’s secret recipes.” 

As well as the hot spring surprise, Claire says how Costa Rica guide Alan listened to all the group’s wishes and did his best to make it happen. For example, a 6am trek in search of toucans. “We had the most incredible sightings, it was totally unexpected." 

From her India adventure, she fondly remembers her guide Ankita. “It was great to spend time with her, listen to her story and how she’s built her career,” she says, also explaining how Intrepid employs women as guides in countries such as India, where job opportunities like this are rare.

Claire Spicer

As one of this year’s TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in Training, this is something that means a lot to Claire, along with how Intrepid champions local communities and social enterprises. From visiting the Sheroes Hangout in Agra – a cafe that provides support and employment for women who have been acid attacked – to a homestay in Costa Rican jungle, she says she'd have never discovered these experiences travelling on her own.

“It’s also the little things too that make the experience even more enriching” she adds. “The way you travel around, how they carbon track their trips, no single-use plastic bottles – these are the type of things Intrepid take care of and you don't have to think about. 

"It just gives me absolute confidence to sell [Intrepid] to my clients, as I know they will be well looked after." 

A trip for everyone

Claire’s first-hand experiences have helped boost her sales – including a booking for a couple to Costa Rica within days of her return. She’s also recently booked tours in Vietnam, Egypt, Madagascar and Turkey. 

Her top tip for travel agents is to make use of Intrepid’s agent discounts and book a “great value” trip of their own. “There’s nothing like experiencing these things yourself, so you can wax lyrical about it.”

But who is an Intrepid tour best suited to? “I personally know it’s great for solo travellers, but I’ve also booked for couples and groups of friends.

“They also offer great family trips and itineraries with more premium accommodation, so there really is a trip for everyone," she adds. 

Claire Spicer

Although Intrepid tours are well suited for customers who enjoy socialising with others, Claire likes to highlight to her customers that guests get to have some time to themselves, too, whether they want to relax or explore. 

When it comes to promoting Intrepid, she uses social media as her ‘shop window’ and shares her own content from her adventures.  “That’s when I tend to get a lot of interaction and people ask me lots of questions – it’s great.”

So, where will Claire be posting about next on her social media? “I'm off to Turkey in November!”

“I decided to book it as I don’t know a lot about the country – apart from that it’s a popular beach holiday destination. But I want to really get to know it beyond its all-inclusive offerings, and I know Intrepid will give me that.” 

Learn more about the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes programme