What does 2009 hold for whitewater rafting and the adventure travel industry? It depends on what the adventure is. 2008 provided a roller-coaster ride for the entire nation as we saw outrageous gas prices, the real estate market crash and finally the entire collapse of the financial industry and economy in general.
The direct affect of the economy has not fully hit the rafting industry as of yet. 2009 will be a historic year, and nobody can predict what will happen this season. Since most of the economic collapse happened towards the end of the rafting season last year, most outfitters fared "OK". Everyone took hits with the gas crises, but avoided the major collapse of the market.
Although studies have shown that "vacations" are often one of the last items people cut in their personal budgets, it is beginning to be evident that vacations are not immune to the market downturn.
Advanced bookings are slightly down across the board, and cancellations are statistically higher than usual, as those who booked far in advance are realizing the "extra" vacation cash needs to pay off bills.
That being said, summer vacations and adventure travel will still be a hot ticket on people's itinerary for 2009. One positive that local outfitters may see is that residents will cut back on traveling to distant locations, and try to find fund and relaxation closer to home. Local marketing and local advertising will be important factors for staying above water (no pun intended).
I predict that whitewater rafting will stay strong for those who realize that you will have to spend money to make money. In an economy where businesses are cutting costs, many have the opportunity to rise above the competition as many scale down marketing efforts.
As far as water levels, rivers and geographic issues, it looks like there is still plenty of snowpack and storms to come that should not be an issue for most parts of the nation.
As usual, we will see how things play out...
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I went on a trip last year along the Arkansas river and we had a blast. Our guide took us through class 3 and 4 whitewater almost all day long for three days. We went on www.raftmasters.com and found our trip, booked it and had the best time.
For our title="Colorado River Rafting,Breckenridge Rafting,Colorado Whitewater Rafting,Royal Gorge Rafting"href="http://www.raftmasters.com">Colorado whitewater rafting wilderness overnight experience, camp was set up for us along the riverbank in truly rustic settings. When camp was ready, we dined from a menu prepared with incredible fixings. Afterward, some of us went for a hike, or just relaxed, we sat back and reflected on the day spent title="Colorado River Rafting,Breckenridge Rafting,Colorado Whitewater Rafting,Royal Gorge Rafting"href="http://www.raftmasters.com">Colorado whitewater rafting; it was totally up to us. After spending a day whitewater rafting, we caught some of the Arkansas River's famous and abundant German Brown trout, which was prepared for our dinner by the raftmaster staff. Catching our own meal was a great topper to a wonderful day spent title="Colorado River Rafting,Breckenridge Rafting,Colorado Whitewater Rafting,Royal Gorge Rafting"href="http://www.raftmasters.com">Colorado rafting. (We had to bring your own fishing gear and Colorado fishing license, however.)
After a hearty dinner and some time spent around the campfire reliving the day's title="Colorado River Rafting,Breckenridge Rafting,Colorado Whitewater Rafting,Royal Gorge Rafting"href="http://coloradowhitewaterrafting.blogspot.com/">Colorado whitewater rafting action, we were off to bed. The next morning, we awoke to the sounds of the Arkansas River and the smells of a delicious breakfast, consisting of hot pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and more. Once breakfast was finished, we were back for another unforgettable day of Colorado whitewater rafting. Our multi-day whitewater rafting trip consisted of our children ages 5 and up to 19 and 7 adults totalling 17 of us plus guides and staff to guide us and cook for us. We had a memorable time we will never forget. title="Colorado River Rafting,Breckenridge Rafting,Colorado Whitewater Rafting,Royal Gorge Rafting"href="http://www.raftmasters.com">Raftmasters.com Rocks!!!!!!
I went on a trip last year along the Arkansas river and we had a blast. Our guide took us through class 3 and 4 whitewater almost all day long for three days. We went on www.raftmasters.com and found our trip, booked it and had the best time.
For our Colorado whitewater rafting wilderness overnight experience, camp was set up for us along the riverbank in truly rustic settings. When camp was ready, we dined from a menu prepared with incredible fixings. Afterward, some of us went for a hike, or just relaxed, we sat back and reflected on the day spent Colorado whitewater rafting; it was totally up to us. After spending a day whitewater rafting, we caught some of the Arkansas River's famous and abundant German Brown trout, which was prepared for our dinner by the raftmaster staff. Catching our own meal was a great topper to a wonderful day spent Colorado rafting. (We had to bring your own fishing gear and Colorado fishing license, however.)
After a hearty dinner and some time spent around the campfire reliving the day's Colorado whitewater rafting action, we were off to bed. The next morning, we awoke to the sounds of the Arkansas River and the smells of a delicious breakfast, consisting of hot pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs and more. Once breakfast was finished, we were back for another unforgettable day of Colorado whitewater rafting. Our multi-day whitewater rafting trip consisted of our children ages 5 and up to 19 and 7 adults totalling 17 of us plus guides and staff to guide us and cook for us. We had a memorable time we will never forget. Raftmasters.com Rocks!!!!!!
Excelent ideea. I am also interested in this kind o f sport .For the moment i am documenting
River Expeditions in WV is a great rafting company, we had a blast on our trip. Thier packages include 2 days on the river, food which is really good and there is enough for everyone, sleeping accommodations (go for the tent not the cabins) and great company. The staff are helpful, fun and adventerous. Check out www.seeyathere.com for more information. Happy rafting.
Nice Information.Thanks for sharing to all.
Whitewater and scenic raft trips in Washington state last season (2009) did not drop off with the economy. If anything, raft trips out of Leavenworth, Washington, increased.
The owner of Zig Zag River Runners told me once that, during the Depression, rollercoasters operated non-stop. Though a luxury item, people needed to recreate. I imagine a century later, river rafting trips are substituting for rollercoaster rides.
We had a great year in TN
Smoky Mountain Outdoors
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