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. Facebook​ ​Twitter​ ​Instagram​ Love the show? Subscribe, ​rate, review, and share!​ Sign up for my Newsletter ​HERE​ I’d love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here: ​[email protected] 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 If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We love likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them, too. 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 Podcast produced using Descript, CastMagic Podcast hosted by Libsyn use code 'outdoorbizpod' for 20% OFF Show Notes powered by Castmagic Website powered by Wordpress Note: As an Affiliate of Amazon and others, I earn from qualifying purchases.