The Story of Eagle Creek. From Outdoor Adventures to Adventure Travel with Steve and Nona Barker [EP 436]

In this episode of The Outdoor Biz Podcast, we dive into the world of adventure travel with industry pioneers, Steve and Nona Barker. Join us as we explore the origins of their iconic travel gear brand, Eagle Creek, and their journey in shaping the adventure travel market.

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Show Notes

03:28 They agreed, and through an outdoor skills course, I got to know Nona for the first time.

08:53 The conversation covers early challenges in finance and distribution, specifically the tough nature of distribution. There is also a mention of whether the distribution was regional or national, with reference to Oshman's being in a few malls back in the day.

13:02 Struggles in the beginning, but success followed. Feedback from customers through retail stores was instrumental in achieving success.

16:09 Adventure travel caters to active, diverse customers by offering outdoor activities such as trekking, backpacking, skiing, and surfing in different locations worldwide, appealing to a wide range of interests and preferences.

17:53 In the 90s, Eagle Creek was involved in teaching retailers about adventure travel gear, while also selling the travel gear dealer program. It took some time for the retailers to catch on to the concept.

21:07 Passionate involvement in conservation, frustration over limited global funding for non-North American regions. Started The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund.

24:30 Focusing on responsible travel, minimizing impact, and community support.

29:01 Amplify local voices, elevate to leadership positions.

31:02 Service providers must balance meeting consumer demands for various travel experiences with the need to educate travelers on sustainable practices and ensure the conservation of natural resources and protection of local communities.

36:31 Thanks for joining the Outdoor Biz Podcast! Visit our website for more information and don't forget to subscribe and spread the word. Your support means a lot!

Thanks for listening and visiting our website. Don't forget to subscribe and spread the word!

Learn More

To learn more about them at the ATCF   

Next Steps

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Keywords

#Adventure travel, #Eagle Creek, #Travel gear, #Retail, Distribution, #Marketing, #Conservation, #Sustainability, #Outdoor experiences, #Adventure gear, #Backpacking, #Adventure travel destinations, #Brand history, #Travel business, #Conservation fund, #Responsible travel

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