For Immediate Release
December 7, 2009
Contact: Chris Pranskatis -Phone: 970.708.7359
 Telluride, CO-If early registrations offer any indication of next summer’s travel season, then 2010 might be a banner year for some segments of the tourism industry.
Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures, a Colorado based hiking tour company that specializes in active adventure vacations around the world, reported its highest-ever preseason registrations to date following a surge of sign ups during September, October and November 2009.
“Our numbers are back on track at this point,” said Ryder-Walker Founder and President, Peter Walker. “We actually have more registrations than we've ever had at this point. Our preseason reservations indicate that next summer’s hiking season should be pretty great.”
Walker cautioned, however, against using early registrations to forecast future bookings. “You never know what new events might occur that cause people to hold back and reconsider their vacation,” he said.
When asked what might have caused the sudden upswing in reservations, Walker had a couple of answers. “It’s partly a result of discounts that we offered in September. We’ve also adhered to our core values, and I like to think that we’re buoyed by guests that appreciate the meticulous care that we put into their experiences.”
Are record numbers simply the result of early discounts, or is a new generation of discriminating travelers emerging from the woodwork? Walker believes that both possibilities might be accurate. “The faltering economy encouraged guests to demand more for their money. They’re doing their homework, and they’re asking a lot of questions," said Walker. "Fortunately, for us, we're happy to deliver on those demands."
Walker added that he hopes the upswing continues. “I hope this is a sign that the economy is recovering and we’re heading out of the woods. That being said, for a hiking tour operator, the real woods can be a great place to be.
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