Group travel going solo?
Austin-Lehman Adventures’ 2007 program includes two trip dates in the Canadian Rockies and Yellowstone National Park expressly designed for singles and solos-only. These are a July 1-6 departure to Banff & Lake Louise and a Sept. 9-14 departure to Yellowstone National Park.
These programs grew out of a growing need, said Dan Austin, co-founder and director of ALA, whose market niche combines immersive, multi-sport outdoor opportunities with destinations throughout the Americas from Alaska to the Galapagos.
“We’ve noticed a significant increase in inquiries about how Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) cares for guests traveling without a spouse, companion or child,” he said.
Concerns for single travelers include reduced single supplement costs. Mr Austin said ALA can arrange same sex roommates upon request but if one is not found, only 50% of the customary supplement is charged.
Another concern: how singles will fit in with couples.
“When we’re out hiking, cycling, kayaking or rafting, everyone participates together and who’s paired with whom doesn’t really compute,” Austin said.
Singles also ask about the benefits of group travel instead of going it alone, Mr Austin said.
This concern applies to everyone, not just singles, he said.
“We’re tending towards leading highly isolated lives in our high tech world,” said Mr Austin. “Our trips in a way confirm that ‘Hey, I still like to be with people; I’m still a social animal; and it’s a lot more fun to share experiences than not.’”
Appealing to solos and new for 2007, ALA is also offering a cultural tour of the southern state of Chiapas, Mexico. The trip explores the remote Lacandón rainforest ruins of Palenque, Yaxchitlán and Bonampak and indigenous highland Maya villages.
ALA is a founding member of the travel consortium, Trusted Adventures, which mixes and matches its clients to adventures in the Americas as well as in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. The alliance offers 300 unique trips to over 80 destinations worldwide.
Report by David Wilkening
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