Ron Fenska, a well-known travel industry leader and advocate for agents, has joined Intrepid Group in the newly formed role of Vice President of Sales for North America.
Fenska brings more than 25 years of experience to the Intrepid Group, the largest portfolio of adventure travel brands in the world including Intrepid Travel, Geckos Adventures, Peregrine Adventures, Reserve, and Urban Adventures. Intrepid Group, one of the globe’s original small group sustainable tour operators, in business since the 1980s, has long had a strong presence in Australia, the UK, Europe and Canada. They recently increased their US footprint with a California office, additional staff, and increased marketing investment- a strategy that appears to be working. Intrepid Group recently recorded January as the best sales month in the company’s 25 year history.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Ron to our growing North American team” says Cyndi Zesk, President of the Intrepid Group in North America. “Adventure travel has been growing over 60% per year since 2009 and we are delighted to be able to offer the travel agent community an opportunity to grow their share of this lucrative market with all the programs and brands that Intrepid Group has to offer. Ron’s knowledge of adventure travel, the needs of the agent community and his expertise on Millennial travel will be a tremendous asset as we break new ground with partners in the US and Canada.”
Fenska previously worked for Collette Vacations for 18 years managing several North American and International markets. He later served as Director of Sales for G Adventures where he managed outside, inside and group sales. He is well respected throughout the travel industry for his partnership skills, contracting, training, presentations and engaging personality.
“Ron’s vision and personality fit perfectly with the Intrepid Group values of growth, innovation, passion and integrity” adds Zesk.
Fenska officially took over the role in January 2015 and will work from both Intrepid Group offices in Toronto, Canada and Petaluma, California.