Ottawa, March 9, 2022 – To cater to its expanding client base in the US, World Expeditions has acquired a majority holding in US-based, small group adventure tour operator Adventure Travel West.

From its base in Denver, Colorado, Adventure Travel West Inc operates multi-day, small group active holidays in the Western US National Parks and Hawaii, including hiking, active sightseeing, adventure, wildlife, and off-road adventures.

According to World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari, World Expeditions has had a long association with Adventure Travel West, using its services to operate in the US for many years.

“We've been impressed by the quality and the variety of Adventure Travel West's offering, the professionalism of its management and the calibre of its guiding team over many years,” Ms. Badyari said. 

“North America's vast National Parks and little-known wild spaces make the West an inspiring backdrop for active adventures,” Ms. Badyari said, “and Adventure Travel West has an impressive array of authorized permits to operate guided walks in the renowned national parks of Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia Kings Canyon, Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante and Vermilion Cliffs to name a few.”         

Like World Expeditions, Adventure Travel West is committed to sustainable travel and incorporates Leave No Trace principles across all its itineraries.

Founder and VP at Adventure Travel West, Susanne Lorenz, says she is delighted to have World Expeditions' involvement.

“World Expeditions shares our ethos of sustainable travel and sees the value of nurturing our team of dedicated expert guides to deliver a consistent quality experience for travellers,” she said.  

“We strive to be at the forefront of tour development in the western United States, including Hawaii,” Ms. Lorenz said. “and I know that World Expeditions has a well-established reputation for pioneering new destinations and seeking out the hidden gems of destinations also.” 

“Our tours are expertly crafted and are designed to showcase the vast National Parks and little-known wild spaces that make the West such an appealing destination for nature lovers,” she said.  

“The fact that our operating philosophies are so similar is important for staff, past travellers and the continuing success of the business,” Ms. Lorenz said.

World Expeditions CEO, Sue Badyari, said the purchase fits with the company's strategy to expand World Expeditions' operations in North America, building on the company's long-time presence in Canada.

“Developed by our Ottawa office's team, the Great Canadian Trails active division has become a well-known brand there – and internationally,” Ms. Badyari said. “and, in 2021, we launched a range of cycling and walking holidays, marketed as North America Active.”

“The buy-in of Adventure Travel West builds on this presence and will allow us to substantially expand our operational reach in North America and help us realize our goals of further expanding our ranges in several of our product areas,” Ms. Badyari said. “

Visit www.worldexpeditions.com or call 1.800.567.2216 for more information.

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For more details and additional images, please don't hesitate to contact me:

Caroline Mongrain via email at caroline@worldexpeditions.com 

Notes for editors: 

World Expeditions is one of the world's original adventure travel companies. Starting as a Himalayan trekking company in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group trekking and adventure holidays.

Always innovative, it was the first company to offer commercial cycling holidays in India (1977) and China (1978) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980) and Tibet (1981). In 2011, it became the first (and remains the only) company to offer the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail. It is an independently owned and a truly global company, with seven offices worldwide, including Sydney, Ottawa and London. It was named Best Adventure Travel Wholesaler in the Travel Industry Awards 2019.

The World Expeditions Travel Group now comprises 17 brands, including World Expeditions, Great Canadian Trails, UTracks, and Australian Walking Holidays, to name a few. Its newest division is Adventure Travel West.