Adventure Tour Operator Embraces Last-Minute Summer Booking Trend

Austin-Lehman Adventures Provides Complimentary Travel Insurance

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. October 14, 2008

BILLINGS, MT, June 2005. Whoops! Summer is creeping up and still no vacation plans? Never fear, there's one company that thrives on responding to last-minute, packaged vacation bookings.

"Hey, we're easy," says Dan Austin, co-founder and director of operations for Austin-Lehman Adventures, a luxury multi-sport, active travel company. "We've found ways to manage our trip offerings so that folks who perhaps procrastinated a bit too long or have waited to take advantage of last-minute airline deals can still book a trip with us this summer."

As an added incentive, the company is also offering free travel insurance and protection coverage for guests booking summer vacations from now through Aug. 31. Depending upon the tour price, this translates into a savings of up to $240 per person. Plus at no extra cost, Austin-Lehman Adventures will expedite all documents and pre-departure information via overnight mail for trips leaving inside of 30 days.

Austin says the trend toward last minute bookings has dramatically increased over the past four years. "In 2001, 'last-minute' bookings, defined as reservations made inside of 30 days prior to departure, accounted for just 3% of our annual business. This year, we expect that number to be closer to 10%. An uncertain economy, international unrest, consumer conditioning to expect summer airfare wars, the growth of the dual working household and resulting complexities of planning a family vacation - for whatever the reason, people are waiting longer and longer to book a summer vacation tour," says Austin. Austin-Lehman's message is simple, "Don't panic! We still have a space for you!" Here are a few examples of adventures that are still available for last-minute booking:

Yellowstone Family Adventure: Hike, ride horses and raft for 6 days, departing: June 26 o July 3 o July 10 o July 17 o July 24 o August 7 o August 14 o August 21.

Costa Rica Family Adventure: For 8 days, explore the jungles of Tortuguero National Park, Caribbean beaches with nesting turtles, elegant haciendas, a farmers' market, a local school, and the history and excitement of San Jos'e, departing: June 25 o July 9 o July 23 o August 20.

Peru- Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley: The 9-day trip weaves from Lima to Cusco, from ruin to ruin across the Sacred Valley, and by train and breathtaking footpath over the Inca Trail, with an overnight at the world-class Hotel Monasterio, departing: July 23 o August 6.

Whistler Adventure - British Columbia: Over the course of 6 days, based from the elegant Fairmont Chateau Whistler, you'll hike, bike, raft, and canoe through the most breathtaking topography Canada has to offer, departing: July 17 (family trip) o July 31 o August 14 (family trip) o August 21.

Says Austin, "We don't see this consumer booking trend easing up anytime in the near future. We live in uncertain times and it is hard to make commitments on one's time too far into the future. In fact, we would like to be known as the "go to" vacation resource for people faced with the challenge of planning their vacation at the last-minute."

Austin-Lehman Adventures' 32 expeditions include iconic North American destinations utilizing National Parks in Wyoming, Montana and Utah; the Canadian Rockies and the seacoasts of British Columbia and Nova Scotia/Newfoundland; and the culture and scenery of Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico. All domestic trips are weeklong and conveniently run from weekend to weekend. Programs are outlined in a free, 48-page, four-color catalog available by calling toll-free in the US and Canada 800.575.1540, or e-mail [email protected] or log onto www.austinlehman.com. This international number services England, New Zealand and Australia: 1-406-655-4591.

All Austin-Lehman Adventures come with one of the most consumer-friendly guarantees in the business: If for any reason your expectations are not met and Austin-Lehman is unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, the company will refund up to 100% of the trip fee.