It’s been an eventful year for all of us here at Hatch! Even after 81 years in business, we’re still changing and improving to make sure your river experience is the best it can be. And, we’ve learned you never get too old to be surprised.
Here are some of the changes Hatch made in 2015:
Staff Shuffle
We gained two new office staff members (Jessica and Melissa) during 2015 and said goodbye to one who had been with us for many years. Rest assured, though, that when you call the office, you’ll be greeted by a friendly, well-informed member of Hatch—and if we don’t know the answer to one of your questions, we’ll find it for you!
Even More Environmental Focus
Hatch always strives to be a leader in efficiency. We want to protect the Grand Canyon and the rest of the great outdoors for many more generations to experience. Here are just a few of our 2015 efforts in that area:
New Stuff for You!
In 2015, we released a 4 Minute Packing Guide to help you get ready for your trip. We’ve also spent the last several months working on a new feature we hope you’ll enjoy. Check our blog on January 1st for the official release!
And, of course, some things never change, like:
Our Grand Reviews
Year after year, you give us amazing feedback about our trips. We’re proud that most of it is pretty positive, and really take to heart the things you’d like to see improved.
In 2015, you told us that 97% of the time, we’re doing excellently. Most of you seem to pretty much agree with Airlie B:
"I rarely give top marks to anything as there is always room for improvement. But your trip is a well oiled machine, in an awesome environment, and you show it off to the nth degree. Thanks. I have been recommending the trip to anyone who will listen." – Airlie B., Upper Canyon Oar, September 15th
In addition to our surveys, many of you take to the internet to tell us, and everyone else, how we’re doing. We’re proud to report that 2015 was the second year in a row that we received the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. We even had one person review a trip they took in 1986. The heading? "Number one experience of my life."
Giving Back
Hatch River Expeditions believes in the community. Because of that, we do what we can to support the people in it.
In 2015, Hatch partnered for the fourth time with an organization called Canyon Heroes to offer a Colorado River experience designed to help veterans heal from the psychological wounds they sustained during war. The veterans who have the opportunity to go on these trips find that they forge strong bonds with those they meet there, and many are very grateful for the experience.
Likewise, Hatch offered a significant discount to Survive and Thrive, an organization that is "dedicated to combining travel, adventure and in-depth reflection and exploration of the cancer journey into one unique life changing experience." Many of the guests on this trip would be unable to attend if not for the significant discount offered by Hatch. One guest on this trip sent us the following feedback, "I hope I can do this trip again one day. What an incredible experience. I didn’t really know what to expect but every aspect of the trip blew my mind! Thank you!!"
In addition to significant contributions to make this trip possible, Hatch makes regular smaller donations to local organizations and to organizations that help foster a stronger river community. Additionally, we encourage all of our guests to contribute one dollar per day to the Grand Canyon Fund which is designed to help provide access to the Grand Canyon to those who otherwise might not have the opportunity to see it.
In 2016, Hatch will continue to provide the same great river trips we always have. Who knows what surprises await us in the new year!
Hatch River Expeditions: A Year in Review was last modified: December 23rd, 2015 by
