2019 Travel & Tourism Awards

www.lux-review.com Page 25 By land and by sea, John Hall’s Alaska offers distinctive opportunities for travel enthusiasts to discover the wildlife, native cultures and geographical wonders of “The Last Frontier” through one-of-a-kind itineraries. Since 1983, the family-owned and -operated company has offered extensive, in-depth tour packages covering Alaska, the Yukon and the Canadian Rockies during the summer, fall and winter months. Offering small group tours with a difference, John Hall’s Alaska aims to showcase the beauty of this glorious landscape in a unique and sustainable manner. Having recognised the firm in this year’s Travel & Tourism Awards we profile it to offer our readers a glimpse at how this innovative company offers clients a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to see the wonders of Alaska. John Hall’s Alaska Best Alaskan Cruise Company 2019 All John Hall’s Alaska tour itineraries are value-added to include hands-on, educational attractions plus wildlife and glacier viewing. John Hall’s Alaska partners with award- winning wilderness lodges and highly rated local restaurants, and the company employs Alaskan professionals who not only drive John Hall’s luxury motor coaches but guide and entertain guests along the way. Tours are operated with a small group approach and this enables John Hall’s Alaska to bring guests high-quality, authentic and very exclusive Alaska adventures. The company’s team of Alaska travel experts acquaint themselves with client dietary and mobility needs and preferences prior to departure in order to implement requests on tour. Working with tour operators and travel agents, as well as customers directly, means that the firm can customise its tours to meet the individual needs of its guests. From retirees looking to explore a new space to families seeking an alternative destination, everyone receives a first-class service when they travel with John Hall’s Alaska. With increasing numbers of young people looking for unique adventures and holidays that they have never experienced before, the firm has, over recent years, branched out into more adventure-based tours alongside its traditional offering. Programs can include kayaking, glacier hiking, bear viewing hikes, glacier kayaking, flightseeing, dog sledding, brewery tours etc. One example of this would be the firm’s National Parks of Alaska tour, which brings guests to 5 of Alaska National Parks and includes bear viewing in Katmai National Park, a flight above the Arctic Circle to tour native villages and touch the Arctic Ocean in Gates of the Arctic National Park, flightseeing across the Wrangell Mountains in Wrangell-St Elias National Park, and a 92.5 mile trip into Denali National Park with two days at the Denali BackCountry Lodge. This unique experience caters to those looking for ‘off the beaten track’ tours that are more than just an exploration: they are an immersive experience. Whilst many tour companies focus on merely showcasing as many traditional sights as possible, John Hall’s Alaska is committed to quality, which is why the team constantly hones its skills to ensure guests see 40% more wildlife than on any other tour. Each and every one of the firm’s tour guides is an Alaska tourism veteran who understands the ecology, culture and history that has shaped Alaska. To showcase the region in its true glory, John Hall’s Alaska partners with Alaskan-owned small businesses so that it can include exclusive attractions and experiences not available to other operators, such private dinners at the homes of Alaskan mushers, and privately chartered small boat and plane excursions into remote areas of Alaska. As part of the firm’s focus on quality, it only uses custom built coaches that are designed to have fewer seats, allowing for first-class style leg room. The final four rows are reserved to house a galley and library in the back. The complimentary beverage galley houses Keurig units for coffee, tea and hot chocolate, plus water and snacks, and every seat boasts chargers and flat screen TVs. Thanks to these impressive vehicles guests want for nothing when they visit Alaska with this dedicated and customer-focused firm. Seeking to build upon the firm’s already impressive success, looking ahead the team at John Hall’s Alaska will continue to develop its soft, adventure-based tours. Specifically, the firm’s Alumni Adventure program is growing leaps and bounds, and what started out as two trips a year to destinations around the world has developed into 4-6 departures a year. This development, alongside the continued expansion of the firm’s winter tour offerings, will offer John Hall’s Alaska many exciting opportunities to welcome more guests over the coming years. With increasing numbers of young people looking for unique adventures and holidays that they have never experienced before, the firm has, over recent years, branched out into more adventure-based tours alongside its traditional offering. These unique experiences cater to those looking for ‘off the beaten track’ tours that are more than just an exploration.” Company: John Hall's Alaska Name: Lauren Hall Address: 1127 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake City MN 55041 Telephone Number: 651-345-1212 Web Address: www.kissalaska.com