Reduce flight cancellation costs - and ease traveler anxiety!

Flight disruptions are bad for business.  They cost your company thousands, or even millions, of dollars in replacement tickets, hotels and taxis.  You incur the extra expense — and get to deal with unhappy travelers! The impact to your company’s bottom-line is even larger when you factor in the cost of cancelled meetings, wasted time, and unproductive employees.

ALTOUR can now change all that.  We are offering a new tool to reduce costs for your company, keep you in control of policy, and allow employees to skip the line and rebook their cancelled flight in less than 30 seconds — on ANY airline, for FREE, with only THREE TAPS on their smartphone — all within your existing policy.

This first-of-its-kind tool is now available to all ALTOUR clients.  As a bonus, it also covers 4+ hour flight delays and missed connections.  Best of all, it is a turnkey solution for you that requires no set-up and is fully integrated with all ALTOUR reporting and Duty of Care tracking.

Contact us now to learn more, see a demo, get pricing — and start saving.

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Just Got Back – Switzerland

Helen Brixey – Leisure Training Manager

Where did you Just Get Back from?

Switzerland

Email / Telephone Number

Helen.Brixey@altour.com / 812.206.5128

When were you there?

December 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience!

There are few words that can describe what an amazing country Switzerland is. From the snowcapped mountains to the crystal clear lakes, Switzerland certainly has some of the most incredible scenery of any place I’ve visited. So beautiful that I could visit Switzerland every year for the rest of my life and still remain as awestruck as I was the first time.

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived:

Being my third trip to the alpine country in less than twelve months, I was thrilled to go back! A sense of safety is always present when visiting Switzerland as it is one of the safest countries in the world. Having spent so much time there in the past year, I also felt at home. I found the rush of excitement this time as strong as my first time last year. Stepping off the train in Lucerne and breathing the fresh, clean mountain air was completely invigorating.

Where did you stay?       

Luzern – The Palace Luzern
St. Moritz – Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains
Zermatt – The Grand Hotel Zermatterhof

With whom would you recommend staying at this hotel / resort? 

Luzern – The Palace Luzern – A perfect hotel for couples, singles and families. With its fantastic location on the shore of Lake Luzern, it’s a picturesque 15 minute stroll from the heart of the city, including the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, Mt Pilatus and the KKL; Lucerne’s Performing Art Center, as well as easy access to the many boats that ply the lake, taking the traveler even farther afield.

The perfect start to the day begins with a delicious breakfast in the beautifully appointed restaurant, Les Artistes. Featuring an extensive buffet, along with cooked to order items, guests can sip their morning coffee while taking in beautiful views over the lake and surrounding mountains.
Singles, couples and families will enjoy the easy access to the Verkehrshaus (The Swiss Museum of Transport) either via a leisurely 15 to 20 minute walk along the footpath on shore of the lake, or via the tram that stops right outside the front door of the hotel.

At the end of a busy day taking in all the beauty the city has to offer, there is no better place to relax than sitting in the hotel’s lake side terrace with a glass of wine followed by a steam and sauna in the beautifully appointed spa.

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Just Got Back – Japan

Erica Neher – Leisure Travel Consultant
Email / Telephone Number

Erica.neher@altour.com / 516 714 0857

Where did you Just Get Back from?

Japan

When were you there?
 
March 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience! 

The Japanese culture and rich history live on in perfect harmony with the modern, clean and efficient cities.

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived:

Though the flight is long, once I stepped out of the plane a feeling of euphoria rushed through my veins. Like a kid on Christmas morning, I was ready to hit the ground running and explore this wonderful country.

Where did you stay?

Park Hotel – Tokyo – 1 night
Mandarin Oriental – Tokyo – 4 nights
Ritz-Carlton – Kyoto – 3 nights

With whom would you recommend staying at this hotel? 

Park Hotel Tokyo – The centric hotel is great for business and leisure travelers looking for a clean and reasonably priced hotel. The Tokyo Fish Market, one of the busiest markets in the world is just a mere 5 minute drive away.
Mandarin Oriental – Located in the posh shopping district of Ginza, the Mandarin Oriental is one of the best hotels in Tokyo. Its proximity to subway stations is perfect for travelers looking to wander around the city.
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto – A perfect mix between the Western and Japanese worlds, the Ritz is located on the banks of the Kamo River. Families, couples and business travelers looking to immerse themselves into the deep Japanese culture will enjoy this beautiful hotel.

Tempt us: Name the most special place you discovered on this trip:

The Tsukiji Fish Market is not to be missed when in Tokyo. The largest tuna fish auction in the world is well worth the early morning call of 3 am.
Geishas roam the crooked streets of the Gion District lined with Ryokans, traditional Japanese guest houses. Kyoto’s shrines, temples and gardens all contribute to its cultural charm and are not to be missed. A hole in the wall ramen place always hits the spot after a long day of sightseeing. Miyoshi is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious sample of the local cuisine.

What’s the best time of year to go in your opinion?

Early March through June are the best times to visit Japan. The incredible Cherry Blossom is one of nature’s most beautiful displays. Though it gets quite busy during “Sakura,” you might be able to miss the crowds by going in early spring and might even catch a Sumo match.

Anything else to add?

If exploring Asia is on your list, Japan is the perfect place to start. While some Asian cities can be intimidating for first timers, Tokyo and Kyoto are fairly easy to navigate. The people were helpful and warm and the cultural sights really captivate you to learn more.

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Just Got Back – Maine

Erica Neher – Leisure Staff

Email / Telephone Number

Erica.neher@altour.com / 516 714 0857

Where did you Just Get Back from?
Cape Neddick, Maine

When were you there?
October 2016

Provide a 1-3 liner highlighting your experience!
I was really impressed with Maine’s landscapes, history and food. Even though New York City is not too far away, the culture is entirely different.

Words to describe what you felt when you first arrived:
Flying into the Portland, Maine airport was surreal. Even though the flight from NYC was only about an hour, it seemed as though I was landing on the Irish coast. The drive up the east coast arriving at the Cliff House was absolutely stunning.

Where did you stay?
The Cliff House

With whom would you recommend staying at this resort?
The vast spaces the resort offers for meetings and events is the perfect place for a business retreat and beautiful weddings. The range of activities throughout the hotel and the pool overlooking the ocean is perfect for families.

Tempt us: Name the most special place you discovered on this trip.
Jackie Too’s was a fantastic waterfront restaurant we discovered while walking around town. The scenery around the entire town seemed like it was out of a postcard. Overall though, Maine was the place that stole my heart. The people and the way of life are so thoughtful and genuine that I came back home with a different perspective. The Cliff House really embraced that Maine mentality by sourcing everything locally and taking great care of the guests.

What’s the best time of year to go in your opinion?
The Cliff House is able to create memorable experiences year round. Whether it be surfing and hitting up Nubb’s Lobster Shack in the summer, going for a hike during the fall foliage or snow-shoe stargazing in the dead of winter, the resort’s natural surroundings and welcoming décor make it a perfect destination year round. Though it is typically more popular during the summer time, I was there during the winter months and really had a great experience.

Anything else to add?
The Cliff House uses local ingredients in all spa products, which combined with the excellent treatment, make it one of the best I have experienced thus far.

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