(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Dude ranch vacations are seeing an uptick in popularity, with more and more people seeking out a chance to ride horses and get up close and personal with cattle underneath a big sky at a sprawling complex in the western United States.
Angie Rice, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors in Scottsdale, Ariz., told the WBBM Noon Business Hour that the popularity of the TV series “Yellowstone” has certainly helped the dude ranch business.
“Absolutely, but believe it or not, it almost predated ‘Yellowstone’ in the sense that we really saw an uptick in the whole dude ranch experience — and clients being inquisitive about ‘What does this all entail’ — during the pandemic, when most of the world was shut off,” she said.
A Forbes survey found that 24% of respondents planned to take an outdoor adventure vacation in the coming year, compared to 20% who planned to vacation at a resort.
Rice said dude ranch experiences have evolved a bit from what fans of the movie “City Slickers” might imagine, with many destinations starting to add more “rustic luxury” into the guest experience.
“It’s definitely an opportunity to be part of the wild, wild west and to be able to participate in different activities that create a new experience for adults, as well as families,” she said.
Another big draw: the food, Rice said.
“You have chefs that really put on a spectacular dining experience, as well” she said.
Get more travel tips during the WBBM Noon Business Hour’s “Travel Tuesday” segment.