April 15, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ashley Southwick
(425) 608-4293
Rick Steves Invests in Quality Travel Information
European travel authority stresses the need for on-the-ground research
With the weakened dollar, travel in Europe is more expensive for everyone: leisure travelers, business travelers, and travel writers. While other guidebooks are cutting costs, European travel expert Rick Steves continues to invest in the most accurate and up-to-date travel information. Unprecedented in the industry, Steves and his 22 researchers update all of his core guidebooks biannually with 60% of his most popular titles updated every single year. By adhering to a strict level of quality control, the Rick Steves' series strives to provide focused and accurate information so travelers can enjoy maximum travel thrills for every mile, minute and dollar.
In his syndicated column, Steves explains that as a travel writer, "my secret research weapon is taking time to interview people running the hotels and restaurants...a researcher needs to physically visit the sights and do the walks." Steves instills these same high standards by personally training his research staff in Europe. Writer and Lead Editor Cameron Hewitt said, "It's amazing to me how Rick lavishes time, money, and attention on improving the books year after year. Frankly, it might not always be the smartest thing from a business perspective — he could save money and pad profits by cutting corners. But he refuses to compromise."
Steves sees this increasingly expensive investment in on-the-ground man power as essential to providing his travelers with the best information on the market. But it doesn't stop with his guidebooks. His multimedia travel business offers lots of free travel advice through his public television and radio programs, website (www.ricksteves.com), syndicated newspaper column, travel blog, podcasts, and audio walking tours with the same high quality travel information as his books.
Please contact Ashley Southwick, Publicist, for press opportunities or interview requests for Rick Steves.