REI Co-op is back in the travel business. The outdoor retailer has teamed up with Intrepid Travel to offer small-group tours around the world.
REI has reentered the market less than a year after it shuttered its Experiences vertical in January, citing financial difficulties.
The companies will launch the REI Exclusive and REI Recommended collections in January. Anyone, co-op member or not, can book the itineraries, but members will receive a 15% discount on the Exclusive collection. The itineraries will be operated by Intrepid.
Intrepid's president of the Americas, Leigh Barnes, said REI members seek out "unique, authentic and meaningful travel experiences grounded in community," which he believes Intrepid will deliver.
The Exclusive collection will offer more than 25 itineraries ranging from three to 14 days in length in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Tanzania and parts of the United States. Trips will include hiking adventures, multisport itineraries and women-led experiences.
The Recommended portfolio will feature more than 50 trips across 32 countries, ranging from four to 15 days in length. Some of these trips will offer premium accommodations.
"These trips are designed to bring together REI members' deep appreciation for familiar outdoor spaces and the thrill of discovering the unknown, while reflecting the co-op's core values of time outside, inclusion and sustainability," said Susan Viscon, REI's chief new ventures and impact officer.
The announcement said more itineraries are to come, with the collections expanding over time to reflect traveler interests.