Travel + Leisure Recognizes Austin-Lehman Adventures As #1 Tour Operator in the World in Annual “Best” Awards

10 July 2009
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BILLINGS, MT, July 10, 2009 – Travel + Leisure (T+L) readers have chosen Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) as the World's Best Tour Operator in the magazine’s 2009 World's Best Awards readers' survey.

Based on a perfect score of 100, ALA received an overall rating of 97.34, one of the highest ever recorded in the category in the 14 years T+L has conducted its prestigious readers’ survey. Their readers rated tour operators, properties and destinations on a variety of criteria. Tour operators were evaluated on the following characteristics: staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food and value.

“Considering that T+L readers represent a strong voice amongst today’s travelers, we’re thrilled to be ranked by this constituency. This is truly the best of the best. To be named number one is absolutely thrilling and at the same time genuinely humbling,” said Dan Austin, ALA’s co-founder and Director.

“Austin-Lehman delivers an exceptional and intimate customer experience,” explains co-founder Paul Lehman. “Smaller is indeed better…our guest to guide ratio is six-to-one. But most of all, it’s our passion for delivering over-the-top surprise and delight that make our trips so memorable and meaningful. It could be anything from an ice cream sundae at the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park to a foot bath and massage after a day of biking in the Loire Valley. You name it, we’ve done it.”

Following tradition, highlights from the 2009 World's Best Awards survey results were announced live on NBC’s Today Show and will be featured in their entirety in the August issue of Travel + Leisure and online at www.travelandleisure.com.

Austin-Lehman Adventures destinations include iconic national parks and backcountry regions of North, Central and South America as well as southern Africa and Europe. New trips slated for 2010 include cycling trips in South Dakota’s Black Hills and Badlands, Utah’s Canyonlands, Wyoming’s Grand Tetons and a Greek Isles trip that features kayaking, hiking and cultural exploration.

For copies of the current catalog and to receive the 2010 catalog due out later this summer, call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail [email protected]. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries go to: www.austinlehman.com.

For more information and photos on Austin-Lehman Adventures or for owner interviews please contact:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / [email protected] or
Dave Wiggins / 303-554-8821 / [email protected]

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