Intrepid Travel has appointed Malinda Samarasekera as General Manager for Thailand and Laos, with the experienced travel executive relocating from Sri Lanka to lead the company’s operations across the two destinations.
Samarasekera will take up the role in early August after serving as General Manager – DMC Sri Lanka, bringing extensive operational and leadership experience to one of Intrepid’s fastest-growing regions.
Leadership to support regional growth
Intrepid said the appointment reflects its continued investment in locally led leadership across Southeast Asia.
Regional General Manager South East Asia Mike Stewart said Samarasekera’s experience and understanding of Intrepid’s operating model positioned him well to lead the business in Thailand and Laos.
Stewart noted that Thailand remains a cornerstone of Intrepid’s global business, having been the company’s first destination when it launched in 1989. Today, Intrepid operates more than 50 itineraries across the country, while bookings to Laos have increased 20 per cent year to date.
Building on locally led experiences
Samarasekera said he was looking forward to relocating to Thailand and working with teams across both destinations to support the continued growth of Intrepid’s locally led travel experiences.
He will work closely with the teams in Thailand and Laos to ensure a smooth leadership transition following his appointment.
