There is still some information I haven't shared with you about the tourism industry, which is an important aspect of our local and regional economy. At the Governor's Tourism Conference held in Telluride last month, I learned that there is another tourism category that the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is beginning to focus on and develop: "Adventure Tourism." I have already mentioned culture, heritage and agritourism as motivators that inspire travelers to visit a community, particularly Mancos. But, what, you might ask, is adventure tourism?
Adventure tourism typically involves outdoor activities but also includes gentler experiences like gallery walks and museums. Adventure travel can be separated into two categories: hard adventure and soft adventure. One of the key unifying ingredients to each type of travel is that it provides some learning experiences along the way. Hard adventure usually means that some type of skill or the use of specialized equipment is required. Examples include mountain biking, skiing, kayaking and rock climbing, some of which are nearby or at least easily accessible from Mancos.
Soft adventure might include exploring archaeology, educational experiences like birding, learning about the flora and fauna in a region as well as about the arts, history and culture. It might even include a little luxury experience at a hot springs or spa.
The Mancos Valley is well-situated to offer an adventure traveler the challenge he or she may be looking for or the gentler experience of hiking, walking and exploring. The town of Mancos offers art galleries, a historic walking tour of town and lovely walks along the river to do some birding. The Mancos Valley provides many opportunities for hard adventure experiences with mountain biking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
The traveler seeking a softer experience can enjoy Mesa Verde, the museums in the region as well as the numerous hiking trails in the nearby San Juan Mountains or how about sleigh rides in the winter months.
Adventure travelers seek out the opportunity to learn something new. They want to learn and discover which results in a sense of adventure.
The Mancos Valley is in a prime location to offer all of that to the visitors who stop by and check us out.
