Intrepid Travel, a popular tour company, is looking to expand its presence in the hotel industry with the recent hire of Celine Hurelle. With 24 years of experience at Accor, Hurelle brings a wealth of expertise to Intrepid’s executive leadership team.
Hurelle’s main focus will be identifying opportunities to acquire accommodations that align with Intrepid’s commitment to responsible travel. Currently, Intrepid owns and operates two hotels – one in Australia and one in Vietnam. The Daintree Ecolodge in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, was acquired in late 2023 and offers 15 rooms. In Vietnam, Intrepid has a three-year lease agreement for the 19-room Hoi An Field Boutique Resort and Spa.
Vietnam has been highlighted as Intrepid’s most popular destination in 2023, with about 85-90% of the Hoi An Field Boutique Resort and Spa’s business coming from Intrepid groups. Additionally, Intrepid has a 50-50 joint venture with CABN, an off-grid accommodations company in South Australia, further solidifying its presence in the hotel industry.
During her time at Accor, Hurelle held various senior positions in countries like Australia, France, and Thailand. She was most recently the global head of the Sofitel brand, based in Paris. With a background in strategy, brand management, and commercial leadership, Hurelle is well-equipped to drive Intrepid’s hotel expansion efforts.
Hurelle will be stationed at Intrepid’s global headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, leveraging her dual French-Australian citizenship to navigate international markets. She expressed her admiration for Intrepid’s focus on responsible travel and its impressive growth trajectory over the years.
Intrepid Travel is poised to make a significant impact in the hotel industry with the addition of Celine Hurelle to its team. With a strong focus on responsible travel and a track record of success in the tourism sector, Intrepid is well-positioned for continued growth and expansion into the hotel market.