Active Adventures is looking to rebuild its trade relationship locally which peaked during the pandemic.
The company acquired Austin Adventures in 2021 and more recently Discovery Bicycle Tours—expanding Active Adventures’ range of New Zealand active tours to a choice that encompasses all of the US, a destination it says is trending.
Both Austin Adventures and Discovery Bicycle Tours offer small group tours that focus on getting off the beaten track, something Active Adventures’ ceo Wendy van Lieshout says suits the Kiwi market.
Austin Adventures has been operating tours to America’s national parks for nearly 40 years, with its point of difference being that it has the experience and knowledge of the quieter parts of the park.
“What we’re really good at is just getting people away from the crowds,” van Lieshout says. “We’ve learnt how to make people feel like they are in the middle of nowhere.”
She points to the US’ Yellowstone National Park as an example, which attracts more than four million visitors a year. “There are coaches and coaches piled up in the carpark, but we take our little groups off the beaten track, and they’ll pop up and there’ll be a picnic set up in a completely isolated part of the park with amazing views.”
. . . Cycling
While Austin Adventures’ trips cater to hiking, biking, kayaking and an array of other active pursuits, Active’s Discovery Bicycle Tours offers purely cycling experiences.
“What really appeals to Kiwis I think, is that it’s unique in that it’s mostly all on rail trails in the US,” says van Lieshout. “It’s away from traffic, on great surfaces, seeing amazing things all through the US.” Agents can also note this is at a lower price point.
“The key point is that Kiwis like smaller groups and feeling that they are really immersed in the destination and those are two things that we offer, as well as amazingly good value.”
. . . Agents
van Lieshout says the company can offer agents direct contracts with ‘really good commission’, and there’s also marketing and training materials available on-line.“If someone has the right type of clientele that they think would work with our product, then they should get in touch and we’ll be able to set up a great commission relationship immediately,” she adds.
See the trade page HERE.
