Austin-Lehman Adventures Acquires Go South Adventures, Expanding Tour Portfolio and Expertise in Latin America
OutdoorHub 07.26.12
Award-winning tour operator Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA – http://www.austinlehman.com/), the active travel company setting adventure vacations standards on five continents, on Aug. 1, 2012, is acquiring Latin America specialist Go South Adventures (GSA – www.go-south-adventures.com).
The acquisition expands ALA’s tour portfolio for South American adventures by more than 20 percent and opens up opportunities to grow group, custom and FIT visits to the region. This is ALA’s fourth active travel company acquisition. The others were Backcountry Tours (2000), Euro-Bike Tours (2008) and Croatia Bicycle Tours (2010).
The announcement was made by Dan Austin, ALA’s founder and director.
Along with the acquisition, GSA’s owner, Troy Glennon, will join the ALA staff as its Latin American expert, enhancing the company’s program development team as well as supporting the sales team. Glennon has worked for over a decade guiding travelers through the region and developing sustainable tourism experiences.
“By acquiring Go South Adventures, its brain trust excellent connections and stellar reputation, we are also giving our loyal clients the opportunity to travel more extensively with Austin-Lehman Adventures in the Galapagos and mainland Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Antarctica,” says Austin. “The major factors making this transaction possible are existing similarities between our two companies including our joint passion for providing service and learning opportunities and ‘behind the scenes’ access, as well as our dedication to flawless itinerary planning.”
In addition to its tried and true small group and custom programs, ALA plans to expand its capability of fulfilling requests of solo travelers, couples and very small groups who want independent self-guided (or escorted) travel with all the logistics and arrangements made and booked ahead.
Austin explained that GSA’s website, remaining intact, will be converted to a South American travel content and resource site with links to ALA’s website.
“We are thrilled to keep the legacy we’ve built alive and vibrant for years to come by joining the Austin-Lehman Adventures family,” says Glennon.
The Austin-Lehman Adventures forte is to give guests a comprehensive and authentic insider’s view of regions visited. The new South American programs will remain primarily multi-sport and cultural. Traditionally Austin-Lehman Adventures has featured multi-activity trips with activities like biking, hiking, sea kayaking and white water rafting.
“Our programs are about the luxury of learning, stimulating activity and the tender loving care we lavish on our guests,” says Austin.
