Great Outdoors

Operating from Kingston, Tennessee, Great Outdoors, also known as Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel (GOAT), is a travel agency that has carved out a distinct niche for itself by focusing on curated, experience-rich journeys. Run by owners and guides Joel and Kathy Zachry, the agency leverages over four decades of personal and professional experience in outdoor exploration to offer highly specialized travel services. This focus is both its greatest strength and a point of consideration for potential clients.

A Deep Specialization in Adventure

Unlike generalist agencies that might handle any type of booking, Great Outdoors excels in crafting adventure travel experiences. Their expertise is not theoretical; the owners have an extensive background that includes hiking the entire 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, leading trips to Alaska for over 25 years, and being longtime instructors for the Smoky Mountain Field School. This hands-on experience translates into meticulously planned customized itineraries for small groups, emphasizing backcountry hiking, wildlife observation, and immersion in remote wilderness areas. Clients seeking an authentic outdoor adventure, from the mountains of the American West to the rugged landscapes of Alaska, will find a depth of knowledge here that is difficult to replicate through an online booking portal or a less specialized travel consultant.

The agency’s philosophy centers on small-group travel, which they state provides minimal environmental impact and a more intimate, interactive experience for travelers. This approach is ideal for those looking to form connections with fellow travelers and receive personalized attention from their guides. The emphasis on safety is also a core tenet, which is a crucial factor for anyone considering trips into remote or challenging environments.

Services and Professional Affiliations

While the name suggests a singular focus on rugged adventures, their service offerings are broader. Through their website, gowithgoat.com, they also provide planning for more conventional travel, including cruises and all-inclusive resorts. This diversification is significantly bolstered by their affiliation with the Travel Leaders Network. This membership is a key advantage, providing Great Outdoors with access to a global network of suppliers, exclusive deals, and value-added amenities for their clients that aren't available to the general public. These perks can include:

• Complimentary breakfast or resort credits at partner hotels.
• Potential for room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out.
• Exclusive access to hosted cruise sailings with special amenities.
• The ability to leverage the network's global partnerships for enhanced support during travel.

This affiliation adds a layer of professionalism and resourcefulness, ensuring that even when booking a relaxing beach vacation, clients may receive benefits they wouldn't get by booking directly. The agency acts as a full-service partner in travel planning, handling logistics and details to allow clients to focus on the experience itself.

Points to Consider for Potential Clients

Despite the clear benefits of their expertise, there are aspects of Great Outdoors' business model that may not suit every traveler. The most immediate observation for a local client is its physical location. Situated at 104 Zachry Drive in Kingston, the agency operates from a residential address rather than a traditional commercial storefront. This setup underscores a personalized, by-appointment approach but may be a drawback for those who prefer to walk into a bustling office to browse brochures and speak with an agent on the spot.

Furthermore, the agency's core strength—its deep specialization—can also define its ideal customer. Travelers seeking quick, transactional bookings, such as a simple round-trip flight or a last-minute hotel in a major city, might find the consultative process more involved than necessary. This is not a high-volume, low-margin online travel agency; it is a high-touch service provider. The value is in the expert curation of complex holiday packages and adventures, which inherently involves more dialogue and planning. This personalized service may also be perceived as more expensive than using do-it-yourself booking websites, although the access to network-exclusive deals and amenities can often offset or even negate cost differences.

Who is Great Outdoors Best For?

The ideal client for Great Outdoors is a traveler who values expertise and is looking for a well-planned, thoughtfully executed trip. This includes:

• Enthusiasts of adventure travel who want a trip designed by genuine experts with field experience.
• Small groups or families looking for unique vacation packages that go beyond typical tourist destinations.
• Individuals or couples planning a significant trip, like an Alaskan cruise or a complex multi-destination tour, who want the peace of mind that comes with professional management.
• Travelers who appreciate the added value and perks that a tour operator affiliated with a major consortium like Travel Leaders Network can provide.

In summary, Great Outdoors offers a compelling proposition for those whose travel ambitions align with the agency's deep expertise in outdoor and adventure-focused journeys. The personal touch of owner-guides Joel and Kathy Zachry, combined with the powerful resources of the Travel Leaders Network, creates a robust platform for crafting memorable trips. However, its operational style and specialized focus mean it is best suited for clients seeking a collaborative and detailed travel planning process, rather than a quick and simple booking service.