Paving a new path for Inspired Adventures

2020 should have been like any other year.

Our first adventure departed in January and the year was off to a good start, with teams setting off around the world to cycle Cambodia, climb Mt Kilimanjaro and trek the Annapurna Trail in Nepal. I was first alerted to COVID-19 in late January, and by mid-February it was clear it wasn’t going away. Two of our most popular adventures for 2020 were the Great Wall of China and Tuscany in Northern Italy. As the virus spread like wildfire along our adventure trail we could only watch as the unthinkable happened. International borders closed and the very heart of my business - taking people on bucket list adventures around the world for causes they are passionate about - was in jeopardy. 

Fast forward 6 months and I could not be more grateful for the resilience, innovation and support of our Inspired team and community that has allowed us to continue our mission for the greater good. It has been incredibly hard and at times, relentless work, however I've seen such wonderful leadership, commitment and passion from everyone around me. 

I am so grateful to each and every one of our charity partners, who have so graciously worked with us to postpone their adventure while dealing with challenges of their own. 

Equally to our courageous and passionate participants, who have, for reasons completely out of their control, had their plans disrupted, often after fundraising, training and planning for their adventure for many months. 

And to my wonderful team, who continue to show up, day after day, with their unwavering determination and desire to make a difference. 

With just one local adventure remaining to depart this year, we are busier than ever planning for a huge 2021 of Australian and New Zealand adventures for so many important causes we care about. 

We have 31 teams trekking the Larapinta Trail, we will be summiting peaks in Victoria, NSW and ACT, hiking the Coast 2 Coast Trail in WA, kayaking the Whitsundays, exploring the beautiful North and South Islands of New Zealand and entering the wilds of Tassie - plus many more. Our goal is to raise $4 million in 2021, as we edge closer to our $50 million target by 2022.

Responsible Travel has always been at the beating heart of Inspired Adventures. With planes grounded in deserts, this gentle nudge towards slower, local travel is paving a new path for Inspired Adventures that feels natural for the business. I feel an affinity to our local operators around the world who so desperately need our services, and we will gratefully return to our favourite destinations when it is safe to do so, but our new domestic adventures will be a permanent part of our adventure portfolio as we work towards becoming a carbon neutral business. But more on that another time. 

As we find our rhythm again I feel excited about the future. Thank you to you all for allowing me to continue to do what I love. Bring on more local travel, greater community connection, new beginnings and many incredible adventures in 2021.