Marcel Simok
Intrepid Travel, a global adventure travel company, has partnered with British travel YouTuber Karl Watson to bring his followers on an 11-day tour to Sabah in April 2023. The trip was initially planned for 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tour was designed to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, community engagement, and reducing the environmental impact.
Watson, who has over 227,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, has been creating travel documentaries for ten years. He began working with Intrepid Travel in 2019 to organise customised group excursions worldwide. The partnership allows Watson to pick his favourite destination, customise the itinerary to be more sustainable, and sell it on his website and YouTube.
According to Watson, he chose Sabah as his second bespoke group tour destination because of its unique wildlife and natural beauty. “I’ve been considering a trip to Borneo because I like nature. So, I looked at Intrepid’s Borneo itinerary, researched, and said to myself, ‘Yes, let’s go on a full nature wildlife adventure’,” he explained.
From 3 to 14 April, Watson and his 15 followers from the US, UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Australia, and Malta scaled Mount Kinabalu, went on a river cruise down the Kinabatangan River, and explored Sandakan to learn about conservation efforts at the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Selingan Turtle Island.
While praising Sabah for its wildlife and natural beauty, Watson also remarked on its rich cultural heritage and welcoming multiethnic population. “I came for the wildlife but was won over by the people. This trip is a perfect introduction to Borneo, and I would like to come back to explore Sabah deeper, especially the national parks and off-the-beaten paths,” he said.
Intrepid Travel has been operating for over 30 years and is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. According to their website, the company’s initiatives aim to “promote positive economic, environmental, and social impacts in the destinations where we operate.”
The company’s collaboration with Watson is part of its effort to reach a broader audience and promote sustainable travel. The partnership allows Watson to share his travel experiences with his followers while promoting responsible tourism practices.
In conclusion, the partnership between Intrepid Travel and Karl Watson allowed 15 travel enthusiasts to experience Sabah’s wildlife and natural beauty sustainably. The collaboration promotes responsible tourism and highlights the importance of preserving our planet’s natural wonders for future generations.
CJMY
