EDITOR ’ S NOTE
I remember during the early days of the pandemic I would meet my mom and sisters at our beloved hiking trails to pass the time together in the woods , since it was something we did frequently anyway . When everything officially shut down , the trails suddenly became busier every time we met . Our once crowdfree spots were now overflowing with others trying to pass the time together in the woods , since it was one of the only places open .
At first , I felt defensive . These people never paid any attention to the trails before there was nothing else to do , and now they were moving in on our happy places . But the more I thought about it , the more I became filled with joy at seeing so many people engaging in outdoor activities . Whether it was exploring the local hiking trails or investing in a bike , kayak or tent , people were leaning on the outdoors to get them through a rough time — and the outdoors delivered .
Being out in nature is therapeutic , and there are a number of ways travelers can reap the benefits of this natural therapy while on vacation . Book a fishing or kayaking tour if you ’ re near water . Play a round of golf at a local course . Try something new to you : horseback riding , birding , skiing . There are so many ways to let the outdoors be part of your trip .
Codie Liermann
MANAGING EDITOR CODIE AIMS TO DELIVER VALUABLE CONTENT TO TRAVEL ADVISORS
In this issue , we focus on outdoor adventures , and we have a lot of great inspiration for you and your clients . You ’ ll discover a few of the lesser-known national parks , hear about some extreme excursions and learn about a few destinations that have a strong focus on conservation .
You ’ ll also get your share of business insights , with topics around travel insurance , using LinkedIn to its full potential and tips for selling adventure travel .
Regardless of whether it was due to the pandemic or not , this niche seems to be growing rapidly , and if the great outdoors isn ’ t on your radar , it might be time to start carving out a spot for this segment of travel . Whether it ’ s embarking on an extreme , oncein-a-lifetime excursion or adding a few leisurely hikes to an itinerary , the outdoors has something for every traveler .
I ’ m happy to share my local trails with anyone interested in exploring them , and I look forward to all the outdoor activities waiting for me on my future travels .
10 / THE COMPASS / SUMMER 2024 vaxvacationaccess . com / thecompass