Jeri Clausing
With many travelers expected to remain close to home this year, the Dude Ranchers Association (DRA) has revamped its website to make it easy for travel advisors and consumers to find pandemic-era luxury in the great outdoors.
While the site does not have a travel advisor portal, the group s public relations representative, David Wiggins of Widness & Wiggins PR, said most if not all of the member ranches work with travel agents and pay commissions. A page on the site speaks directly to the trade. This new website from the association is an excellent resource for agents and travel counselors to find the right ranch for their clients and make bookings directly with the ranch, he said.
Published: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 - 9:33am
The House Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs has approved spending $900,000 in tax dollars in a bid to convince Arizonans and others across the country to visit the state s remaining dude ranches.
Dude ranches, also known as guest ranches, treat visitors to Wild West experiences like horseback riding. According to the Dude Ranch Association website, Arizona s range from small, secluded properties to large, resort-style facilities.
Arizona Dude Ranch Association lobbyist, Kevin DeMenna, told the committee that dude ranches lost their international customer base because of the pandemic, and that a promotional campaign would help spur a domestic market.