In this Desert Sun article, Skip Descant notes that hiking has ballooned in interest in the region, as visitors look beyond the staples of golf and pool lounging. As proof, in 2015 more than 2 million people visited Joshua Tree National Park.
“We have evolved from being known as just a golf destination,” remarked Bob Thibault, vice-president of market at the Greater Palm Springs CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau). “Outdoor adventure as a whole, from Jeep tours to the new BMW Performance Center, have put the focus on unique adventure and excitement in the Oasis.”
The Greater Palm Springs CVB recently launched a new hiking website,, to accommodate and grow http://www.hikingingps.com, this trend. This hiking site, which began production about a year ago and was launched a few weeks ago, is a searchable site that includes trails across the valley as well as those in areas like Idyllwild. You can narrow your search according to location, difficulty levels or even searching for dog-friendly trails. (Hint: there are about two dozen dog friendly hiking trails in the valley.)
The development is in part a response to visitor surveys that have pointed to complaints that there’s not much to do in the Coachella Valley, despite a seemingly non-stop schedule of festivals, galas and cultural events.
“Hiking has become a hot activity here in the Coachella Valley,” said Rob Osterberg, director of convention sales at the CVB, and who is also a hiker. “While winter hiking may provide greater accessibility due to the weather, off-season -- specifically fall and late spring -- has been of greater interest to all visitors.”
The CVB site still has some growing to do. Namely, a mobile app, which Thibault will come soon. "It would be better to have it as an app so it would not need Wi-Fi to operate," he said. "Upgrades are in process for the current web version and we hope soon to have an app version. Most likely in 2017."
To read Ship Descant’s original article, courtesy of The Desert Sun, please visit: http://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2016/04/15/greater-palm-springs-cvb-launches-desert-hiking-site/83050124/