BILLINGS, MT, March 2007 – Dan Austin, Director of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), announces that Richard Edwards has joined the company as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer (CMO).
“In addition to bringing technical website and online marketing skills to our company, Richard is also a valuable asset in regards to his experience in Latin America where he has lived off and on for the past 15 years,” says Austin.
Most recently Edwards was Vice President of Wildland Adventures, A Seattle-based leader in worldwide eco-tourism. He also currently serves as Executive Director of the Trusted Adventures alliance of active travel companies, of which ALA is a founding member.
Among his credentials, Edwards is a Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist in the Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Family Travel and Ecotourism categories, being first named to the list in 2006. A native of Washington State, he holds an International Business degree from Linfield College in Oregon, and was a postgraduate Research Assistant in Natural Resource Economics at Washington State University.
Edwards has lived in Costa Rica for 15 years where he still resides part-time. His in-depth knowledge of Central America is a resource, especially in the arena of custom and private itineraries. ALA has seen this portion of its business grow significantly in the past two years and the company has plans to expand its trip offerings to this region with the assistance and expertise of Edwards.
“We have just begun to scratch the surface of the many experiential opportunities Costa Rica has to offer,” explains Austin. “It is already one of ALA’s most popular destinations, and several new itineraries will be added to our Latin America portfolio with Richard’s insider’s knowledge and input.”
Edwards’ background in sustainable development and tourism has put him in contact with the pioneering companies, lodgings and individuals in the ecotourism and responsible tourism fields and allows him to design travel that benefits both the traveler and the local communities and ecosystems visited.
Recently, Edwards has become involved with Native Energy (www.nativeenergy.com/traveloffsets), the alternative energy company that has partnered with Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth documentary to help promote and achieve carbon neutrality. Together with Megan Epler Wood, the founder of The International Ecotourism Society, the program brings the travel industry together with wind and methane power solutions to address the global climate crisis.
For a copy of Austin-Lehman Adventures’ 2007 catalog as well as information on the company’s 32 unique upscale, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries please call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail [email protected]. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com.
Austin-Lehman Adventures specializes in experiential multi-sport adventures to iconic destinations throughout the Americas. Most of their small group vacations are six days and five nights in duration, and combine such guided outdoor activities as hiking, biking, rafting, canoeing and horseback riding with nights spent at a series of distinctive inns and lodges. Lunch is usually served gourmet picnic-style along the trail, and breakfast and dinner take place in a given region’s finest cafés and restaurants. Prior experience is not a prerequisite and adventures cater to a wide range of abilities. On adult adventures participants need to be 16 years old or above. Expressly designed family adventures are suitable for children as young as seven (7) years of age (5 years of age on their Costa Rica Family Adventure).
ALA is also a founding member of the established travel consortium, Trusted Adventures (www.trustedadventures.com), 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 75 destinations worldwide.
Press Contact:
Sara Widness
Widness Public Relations
802 234 6704
[email protected]