The operator launched an emergency appeal through the Intrepid Foundation last week. The flooding disaster, which started on Tuesday (29 October), has claimed more than 200 lives, with many more still missing.
All funds raised by the appeal will go to its local charity partner, Casa Caridad, which is providing immediate on-the-round relief. The foundation will match all donations.
Casa Caridad is working closely with the Valencian government to provide food and clothing to people in Spain’s Valencia region and in Castilla La Mancha south of Madrid – the two areas hardest hit by the severe weather over the past week when a month’s rain fell in a matter of hours in some places.
Intrepid, which has a local country office in Valencia employing 25 people, is continuing to operate its Spanish touring programme as planned, although the operator has stressed it will continue to monitor the situation as it continues to develop.
It also confirmed all of its travellers and staff in Spain are safe, and that there are no local or international restrictions on travel to the country.
"When a disaster affects one of our local communities, it impacts all of us,” said Biheng Zhang, general manager of the Intrepid Foundation. “Through the Intrepid Foundation, the entire Intrepid eco-system of travellers and industry can lend support to those who need it the most.”
Florencia Allo Moreno, Intrepid’s general manager for western Europe, who is based in Valencia and has personally been impacted by the floods, added: “The current situation in Spain is devastating and communities are suffering deeply, with many people losing their homes and searching for their loved ones.
"Spain is a beloved destination for many Intrepid travellers and we want to do everything we can to support the relief efforts."
