Intrepid Travel is hopping onboard the next big thing in travel: tiny holiday homes.
The Australian travel company is investing A$7.9 million (US$5.5
million) in CABN, a company that builds small eco homes and places them
in some of Australia’s most stunning, off-the-beaten-track locations.
Last year’s “Trending in Travel” report published by the World Travel
and Tourism Council indicated the off-grid eco stays market and its
associated values of “back to nature” is the holiday of the future.
CABN has started small with just 11 minimalist escapes, including a
new level of guilt free, sustainable luxury with CABN X. Each cabin is
built from predominantly locally sourced and sustainable materials and
requires minimal infrastructure with a ‘leave no trace’ philosophy.
Their unique design allows guests to immerse themselves in nature
while encouraging disconnection from everyday life. That means no Wi-Fi
and limited use of electrical items.
CABN’s cabins allow the great outdoors to flow indoors.
With Intrepid’s backing, CABN is expected to grow annual room nights from 4,000 to 26,000 across Australia.
Intrepid says the partnership with another Australian-based company
will allow for an increase in the vertical integration of Intrepid’s
business, with plans to include CABN sites as featured accommodation in a
number of the tour operator’s trips.
CABN does have a competitor in the space. Unyoked raised more than
A$6 million in 2021 from investors including Real Tech Ventures and
Luxury Escapes co-founder Adam Schwab and now has 50 cabins and is
aiming for 100 across Australia.