isten to any hotel executive speak and , invariably , the word “ experience ” will be uttered . In fact , it ’ s mentioned so much that it ’ s lost some of its value and believability : what makes an experience , well , an experience ?

Still , give the people what they want . In the post- COVID world , that means the outside , like the al fresco dining movement , which has become codified in many cities and townships . The outdoors certainly lends itself to experiences . The Indigo Road Hospitality Group , which operates restaurants and

independent hotels , recognized this ; so much so that it created a position to lead it .

Meet Zach Girgenti , the director of outdoor experiences at The Indigo Road Hospitality Group , a 20-something who refers to himself as an “ avid outdoorsman ” on his LinkedIn profile and of his current position says : “ My job is to find and curate the most badass experiences you can do within the surrounding areas of each hotel / lodge .”

You in ? HOTELS spoke to Girgenti to get to the bottom of just why a company needs someone to lead outdoor

adventures , why it matters and just what an outdoor experience entails .

HOTELS : Director of outdoor experiences is a rather unique title . Please describe what is required of your position ? Girgenti : It ’ s definitely unique and it ’ s exactly what it sounds like and then some . It ’ s a role I take a lot of pride in . I am regularly curating and developing outdoor experiences at all of our lodging locations — developing and fostering relationships within the communities where we

are located , leading the trips whenever possible , planning for the financial components of the programming to our guests and our locations , reviewing all of the safety steps and procedures and generally sharing my love of adventure and the outdoors with as many people as possible . Within the communities , I ’ m actively forging new relationships with uniquely local partners — yoga teachers , river guides , foragers , tour operators and so on — to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership for us and them and for the guests that trust us with their valuable time .

36 hotelsmag . com October 2023