Tag: small tour operators

When REI Adventures, one of the top outdoor adventure companies in the world suddenly and unexpectedly shut down its international trips division a few months ago, it left a lot of adventurous travelers at loose ends. It also left in the lurch local tour operators—like Terracotta Journeys in Portugal and Spain—that had supplied that big company’s on-the-ground service and expertise around the globe. Without that big-name brand recognition, how would clients looking for international trips be able to find these small independent companies? Without that known name, how would people know that these were actually the same companies that had already long been providing the high-quality travel experiences they had come to know and rely on? In response, several of these like-minded small local tour operators reached out to each other. By banding together, we hoped to create visibility and quality assurance for those seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path adventures. And so Terracotta Journeys became one of the founding members of a coalition called WATC - World Adventure Travel Collective. The aim is to keep doing what we already know how to do so well: to use our knowledge, our professionalism and our experienced local guides to provide memorable, high-quality international adventure travel experiences. A silver lining of this change for customers is that without the big brand-name overhead, we can offer clients substantial savings for the same high level of service and quality. WATC companies offer a variety of travel-style products: High-end luxury itineraries with premiere personal service and indulgence; charming Boutique regional tours for small groups, offering immersive, niche travel experiences; and Adventure Classic travel focused on specialized outdoor activities with a range of accommodation levels. But we are united in our shared values, our proven track records of reliability, safety and customer satisfaction, and our commitment to excellence and