Interview with Dan Austin: Favorite Adventure Trips & Tips

Installment 3 of 3

Now let’s talk about some other changes ALA has made in 2009. I noticed the Arizona Grand Canyon & Sedona trip changed dramatically. The camping component sounds wonderful on the website. Can you tell us more about what a guest can expect from this updated trip?

This new Arizona Adventure is a direct result of Alumni Feedback.  Many of our alumni returned from the Havasupai Adventure, enjoyed the camping element of it, and wanted more Arizona.  We worked hard at putting together a trip that had both custom luxury camping and accommodations. We combined some of the best hiking and biking in the area into what we see as a winning formula for a new Grand Adventure (pun intended) in Arizona.

It’s exciting to see ALA offer another adventure in Central America.  You already have a tremendous selection of vacations in Costa Rica, but you’ve just added a new trip in Panama, and this one is family friendly.  What differentiates the brand new Panama Family – Reef & Rainforest Adventure from the Panama – Boquete To Bocas Adventure?

I have to say the I personally love Panama.  It is a region rich in diversity.  We tried to pull together a family friendly trip that would exceed our tough standards for family programs.  This trip is now one of my all time favorites.  We spend time introducing families not just to the great activities, but we dig into the culture as well and go as far as to visit remote indigenous peoples and see their way of life unchanged for the last few centuries.  We picked family friendly accommodations and activities that would be fun for all.  Our Boquete to Bocas Adventure is an amazing introduction to Panama, but tailored more for the adult traveler.

Last but not least for the new ALA trips, you’ve added a more comprehensive trip to Peru which covers two major highlights: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.  What spurred the creation of this trip?

As I said earlier, new trips come to us through a variety of ways, and this one was from Alumni that had been to Peru and just wanted more!  It wasn’t until just the last few years that we felt the infrastructure (hotels or accommodations) in the area were to our standards.  Paul spent considerable amount of time in the area and just loved it. We worked with our Peruvian partner for the better part of two years to get this new trip where we want it.  Now we have 3 great Peru adventure vacations!

Out of all the adventures ALA has ever offered, past and present, which trip is/was your favorite and why?

That is the toughest question I get asked just about every day.  There are no “bad” adventures, and each and every trip is special in its own right.  From the tip of South Africa to the coast of Alaska, they all have something special for our travelers or we wouldn’t offer them.  If I get pushed, well I have to go back to where I started, the Yellowstone Adventure.  I just see something new each and every time I go and just cannot say enough about the sensory overload one experiences.  This winter I am taking the family into Yellowstone over winter break to see a side we do not see too often, Yellowstone in winter.  If I were able to pick a few more, I would choose our new Mosel Magic trip in Germany and our South Africa Multisport.  You can probably see a pattern here… My favorite tends to be the last trip I was on!

With the economy in a less-than-perfect place right now, what sets ALA apart from the competition and what gets noticed?

I should have known this question would come up. It does every day and obviously none of us can ignore the national news.  Truthfully, we are going to continue to do our part to see that each and every trip is executed with the highest level of professionalism and value possible.  People need vacations now more than ever. We just want to make sure when they get the chance to travel with ALA, each trip exceeds every possible expectation.  Our Alumni know the value of an ALA vacation and know how it rejuvenates like nothing else.  We will be here and we will continue to do what we do better than anyone.

Thank you very much for your time, Dan.  In closing what suggestions can you share for helping a guest choose a perfect vacation?

Another great question Vanessa!  I think the key is do your research. Whether you traveling as a family, couple or single, just get everyone traveling involved in the process. In addition to research on the internet, ask around.  Your friends and family might be the best source for destination and tour operator suggestions.  Nothing beats a 3rd party endorsement.  Make and keep a list of who you contact and how they respond.  Ask for references.  Ask a lot of questions like “Do they ever cancel a trip for low capacity? Do they run their own trips or outsource to others? What is their satisfaction policy? Etc.” There are no bad questions.  Most importantly, build a rapport and eventually work with someone you feel comfortable with.

Thanks Vanessa for this opportunity to share a bit with our readers. I look forward to this new blog format and seeing what and who is next.

Safe Travels to all,

Dan Austin
Director

Read the second installment of my interview with Dan about our exciting new European vacations.

Read the first installment where Dan talks about running an adventure tour company.