When outdoor gear and apparel retailer Recreational Equipment Inc. launched REI Adventures in 1987, the travel division catered mostly to hard-core outdoor enthusiasts. REI still leads an array of rugged excursions, including a Himalayan trek and a Kilimanjaro climb, but these days the Kent, Wash.-based company’s travel division also touts a growing menu of less-risky adventures: a walking tour of Tibet, a family-oriented trip in the Canadian Rockies that includes « ghost stories around the campfire » and cruises to Alaska, Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands. « People frequently like to have a bed to come back to as opposed to a tent, » explained Cynthia Dunbar, manager of REI Adventures, adding that customers are a decade older, on average, than when the travel unit started. The evolution of REI Adventures reflects the changing tastes of its aging customer base and, in a larger sense, illustrates the influence nature-loving baby boomers are having on retailers of outdoor sporting goods, particularly in the area of travel. Older boomers nearing retirement have the inclination and resources to accumulate experiences rather than just stuff, while younger boomers are eager to stay active as leisure time gets chipped away by the demands of the modern workplace. Outfitters such

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