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Op-Eds From the Field

Editor’s Note: This month, AdventureTravelNews™ introduces an opportunity for those active in the adventure travel industry to speak up.

Get involved – Send YOUR Op-Ed contribution to editor@adventuretravel.biz. We’ll consider all Op-Eds, though space, relevance and common sense will dictate placement and publication. Plus, we’ll need to leave room for industry responses. Consider it YOUR column. One caveat – let’s not incite others in the industry for the sake of rabble-rousing. Honest, respectful and provocative dialogue is the name of this game. Sound off – anytime.

Our first contribution was written some time after the 2005 Adventure Travel World Summit. The ATTA received a great deal of feedback following last fall’s Summit, but this unsolicited letter struck this editor.

Dear ATTA:

        I have one suggestion that I hope the ATTA will address. I am going to bring up the standards and criteria for our industry issue. Who are we? But more specifically, how can the operators who work hard at risk management (safety) be recognized for their conscientious and ethical business practices? It costs more (usually) to do risk management. So how can we stay in business when someone else could come along, cut corners, be cheaper, then have an accident that makes everyone look bad and scares everyone’s customers away?
        What I propose as a solution is that we regulate ourselves before others who don’t understand us regulate us. For one, the insurance industry already is regulating us in a way. Well, they have raised the cost of getting insurance to do an adventure tour, which means my price will have to be higher to absorb that cost.
        I have a $7,000 a year liability insurance bill. Some companies won’t even underwrite a wilderness lodge, nevertheless dogmushing.
        Why do I think the ATTA should attempt to regulate us? Well, I have already had an experience on a smaller scale where regulating us seems to be helping. As a “dogmusher,” all my life I have seen the world of dogmushing and especially dog racing almost shut down because some very vocal people (PETA esp.) decided we were cruel to our dogs, and the humane society thought we were inhumane.
        The reality is our sled dogs are our pets and surrogate children. Competition created better standards of care that were invented. The better you care for your dogs, the better they will perform, etc.
        Anyway, there are a lot of people who want to get into mushing, but where do they start? How do they know if they’re buying a good dog, or even a healthy dog? How do they go on a safe first mushing experience? Who can teach mushing? Currently it is still a free for all.
        But one bright accomplishment stands out. We created the Mush with P.R.I.D.E. organization that stands for Providing Responsible Information on a Dog’s Environment. We have a web page where our manual about dog care basics is reproduced.
        I was a board member for a couple years and helped put the final touches on what we call our “Voluntary Kennel Inspection Program.” We managed to keep it simple. A kennel owner calls a veterinarian and gets a copy of the twenty kennel inspection criteria. The kennel owner pays for the veterinarian to come and inspect the kennel on a given day. The veterinarian checks as to whether or not the kennel owner is properly complying with the twenty criteria. If the vet decides the kennel passes, the vet signs off, and then Mush with P.R.I.D.E. will give a certificate to the kennel owner currently good for an indefinite amount of time.
        This is where we started in the world of dogmushing. I propose that each specific industry, rafting, horseback riding, hiking, etc, create criteria specific for that industry. Then the ATTA gets the word out that these criteria have been created. Then at least a number of people who are in that area of business agree upon certain minimum standards. For example, all rafting guides need to provide helmets and PFD’s to all clients. All rafting guides need to do a safety orientation talk. These programs will be voluntary to join.
        One way the ATTA could get the word out is to allow people to talk about their industry programs briefly at an ATTA convention. Then travel agents and sellers will know these criteria exist. Then it will be up to the sellers of travel to use/take advantage of these programs. For example, if I tell a travel agent I am offering dogmushing trips, they should ask, “Does your kennel have a certificate that shows you passed the Mush with P.R.I.D.E. kennel inspection?” If I do, then they know that at least a veterinarian, another person, has seen my operation and it passed minimum standards. No one knows Denali West Lodge, so this would help me. If a well-known group like NOLS is offering dogmushing, well, their commitment to safety and education is already well known. They probably would not lose clients, even if they did not get their dog kennel inspected. It’s voluntary, so no big deal in some ways.
        It’s relatively simple. But we need some pressure or we won’t do it. And although my kennel would pass, I just haven’t done this paperwork to get a P.R.I.D.E. certificate. But if a travel agent asked me if I had one, you better bet I would get one in a heartbeat.
        Some big established companies may not really see a need, but I rest my case. Please do not shy away from standards, criteria, definitions, principles and practices, and self-regulation. If we don’t regulate ourselves, then others will make it difficult for us – Insurance, N.P.S.
        I have confidence that you folks at ATTA are not going to shy away from the challenge of leading us all into the future. I can only say I pledge to support you. Keep up the inspiring work.
        Dream on, Tonya Schlentner.