Dinosaur River Expeditions Guide Wins Uintah County Customer Service Award
Industry: Travel & Leisure
Senior guide at locally-owned whitewater rafting company in Vernal, Utah wins county-issued hospitality award.
Vernal, UT (PRUnderground) August 14th, 2019
It’s hard to take a river rafting trip with Joey Thomason and not absorb his sheer love of the experience. Thomason’s enthusiasm for the rivers of Northeastern Utah started building when he was just a boy, and he now shares his passion as a senior guide for Dinosaur River Expeditions. This month, his energy and professionalism were awarded with the DinoSoar Customer Service Award from Uintah County.
This is Thomason’s eighth year with Dinosaur River Expeditions, a family-owned and locally-operated business in Vernal, Utah, that takes visitors on thrilling guided river rafting adventures in and around Dinosaur National Monument.
Thomason grew up in Mountain Green, Utah, with the rugged outdoors as his playground. He skied, mountain biked, camped, and explored Utah’s waterways. He began piloting gear rafts for Dinosaur River Expeditions at the age of 16.
At 18, Thomason got his Utah Guide License for rafting and began leading expeditions. In his current position as senior guide, he mentors crew members and fellow guides and is always a favorite of customers.
“Joey knows the ins and outs of these rivers and the surrounding territory remarkably well, and our guests always rave about how much they learn from him,” said Tyler Callantine, owner of Dinosaur River Expeditions. “They also love his passion for the river and how much heart he puts into all of his expeditions. He makes everybody fall in love with this part of the country.”
The DinoSoar Award is issued monthly by the Uintah County Travel and Tourism Board. The recipient is a local employee who exemplifies customer service that “soars” above the standard performance in the hospitality service industry.
Callantine said that Thomason, along with all of the company’s guides, brings a local touch to the expeditions.
“We’re not a big, impersonal company trying to get customers in and out,” said Callantine. “We’re a homegrown business with guides like Joey who grew up exploring Utah’s natural wonders. We give our guests a true insider’s view.”
Thomason takes guests on chartered river rafting trips on the Green River, through the Gates of Lodore and along Colorado’s mighty Yampa River.
He also helps orchestrate the company’s hiking expeditions in and around Dinosaur National Monument, leading visitors to ancient Native American rock art, fossilized dinosaur footprints, and breathtaking views of natural arches.
The company’s whitewater rafting excursions range from one to five days. They are all-inclusive, providing all necessary gear, delicious food, camp amenities, and transportation to and from pick-up points.
To learn more about Dinosaur River Expeditions, go to www.DinosaurRiverExpeditions.com or call (800) 345-7238.
About Dinosaur River Expeditions
Family-owned Dinosaur River Expeditions offers thrilling whitewater rafting adventures in Northeastern Utah. The only locally-owned and operated outfitter near Dinosaur National Monument takes guests whitewater rafting in Utah along the breathtaking canyons of the Green River, through the Gates of Lodore, and along the mighty Yampa River of Colorado.
