SITUATION
Bariloche, Argentina, is a hub for adventure travel in Argentine Patagonia. An hour and half south, at the end of long dirt road, La Confluencia Wilderness Lodge offers visitors the opportunity to become a part of their biodynamic farm and explore the surrounding mountains and rivers by foot, bike, hoof, and kayak.

CHALLENGE
La Confluencia holds infinite appeal in the nature travel, adventure travel, and volunteer tourism markets, but how does this very remote lodge connect with its eager market worldwide?

SOLUTION
In June 2010, La Confluencia engaged Xola to provide its "International Operator Advocacy" service.

Collaborating with La Confluencia, Xola consultant Jessica Reilly

Determined the itinerary opportunities, including volunteer tourism, not yet exploited at the lodge, and
Refined and pinpointed the target market through our international network.

Leveraging industry expertise in combination with personal and professional relationships, Jessica then connected with international nature, adventure, and volunteer tourism operations, providing them with tailored information information and a personal recommendation for partnering with La Confluencia.

RESULTS
Mark Jordan, La Confluencia’s president said, "Xola supported our lodge in defining a marketing strategy and implementing the first phases of it. Through Xola we secured new relationships with tour operator partners in North America, and are expecting new groups coming to La Confluencia in 2011 as a result."

Though Xola’s efforts, La Confluencia established partnerships with international operators, industry leaders, and learning institutions, specifically:

Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures: The Pedal and Paddle 8 day trip includes mountain biking, kayaking, daily yoga, and volunteering in the garden and farm;
Outside magazine: Publishing a feature article on the Sacred Rides trip, laterally dispersing knowledge throughout the client base and enhancing brand recognition;
Natural Habitat Adventures: Volunteer tourism extension for their popular Patagonia trip;
University of California, San Diego: A week of student volunteer tourism for winter break in March; and
Patagonia: Posting to an exclusive blog for employees seeking rewarding volunteer tourism experience, as well as The Cleanest Line blog.
Interest from other international operators such as Abercrombie & Kent
Additional clients through personal advocacy and social media networks.

Partnerships continue to build and develop as La Confluencia continues to evolve and define their adventure opportunities and connect with new clients worldwide in 2011.