Natalie Kidd is the Managing Director of PEAK DMC. Natalie joined PEAK DMC in 2005 as the founding General Manager of the first DMC based in Hanoi Vietnam and has since gone on to grow the network to 21 DMCs around the globe. She is passionate about developing people across cultures and leads a truly global team of 1500 staff, leaders and crew.

PEAK DMC network has DMCs in 21 countries including Nepal. PEAK is the operating division for the Intrepid Group operating brands Intrepid Travel & Peregrine but also over 50 external brand partners. In Nepal the DMC is PEAK Nepal (formerly Himalayan Encounters). PEAK carried approx. 4500 pax in Nepal in 2018 making it the country’s largest inbound operator, employing 20 office-based staff and contracting 45 tour leaders, plus an additional  25 assistant guides and 60 porters.  PEAK DMC’s parent company is the Intrepid Group known for the fundraising campaign ‘Namaste Nepal’ following the April 2015 earthquake.  Intrepid Travel also donated their profits from the 2015/2016 trekking season and together raised $700,000 AUD for that relief effort. 

PEAK also partnered with various organisations to inspect hiking trails post-earthquake to assess damage and encourage the return of tourists to Nepal, as well partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWE) to create community-based tourism product in the Madi Valley - https://wwfnepal.exposure.co/madi-days.

Currently, PEAK is working with the World Animal Protection to transform Chitwan NP into the world’s first ‘elephant friendly’ destination in Asia (viability study here).  The company through Natalie’s efforts work to deliver a competitive product and utilizing her experience, post-earthquake, to ensure sustainability and resiliency in Nepal.

Natalie is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Masters of Business Administration (AGSM), a Master of Asian Studies (UNSW) and Bachelor of Arts/Asian Studies (USyd).