knowledgeable guide show them around. As such, it has been a constant goal and challenge to many bus and bus tour operators. Many bus operators, tour planners and bus tour passengers have discovered that it requires special and considerable knowledge to put together an Alaska tour beyond the ordinary. Those who know Alaska will tell you that most tours will only cover the major highlights. There are people who say that 80 percent of Alaskan tours only cover 30 percent of the state. Many of the best places to go are not included on popular tours but are in smaller towns and in out-of-the-way locations. Moreover, some of the most interesting scenery is best viewed from a boat or train and not a bus. Hence, if you really want to see Alaska, you need to work with an expert who specializes in Alaskan tours. This is why John Hall’s Alaska has become popular in providing customized Alaska tours for bus companies and tour planners or in selling seats on their own tours to smaller groups. What makes John Hall’s Alaska the go-to people for Alaska tours includes a unique combination of experience with Alaska, hospitality,
Keystone Canyon
John Hall’s Alaska by Larry Plachno
buses and tours. The Alaska experience of John Hall Sr. started way back in 1955, when he accompanied his father driving up the Alaska Highway to deliver fresh eggs to the Piggly Wiggly in Fairbanks. John says that this trip sparked his interest in Alaska and its rushing waterfalls, moose and bear and other unique attractions. Some of John’s background included the hospitality industry. Three prior generations on his mother’s side ran hotels in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In 1976, he continued this heritage by purchasing the old family hotel, The
“A
laska” is the Russian version of the Aleut word “Alak-
shak,” meaning great lands or peninsula. In 1867, U.S.
Anderson House, in Wabasha, Minnesota. The move into the bus business came in 1983, when John purchased
Secretary of State William Seward made arrangements
a bus to take guests of The Anderson House on local trips, including
to purchase Alaska from Russia, adding 586,412 square miles to the
sporting events. Initially, these included home games of the Minnesota
United States. At the time, the area was primarily known for fur hunting
Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. As time went on and Anderson House
and trapping and had only a few smaller communities other than its
Tours became better known, the trips went to other destinations within
native population. Russian leaders sold it to the U.S. because they feared
Minnesota. Then, as the motorcoach fleet expanded, trips were offered
that in the event of a war, particularly with England, their military would
to all 50 states as well as most Canadian provinces. They included
be unable to defend this massive but somewhat remote area.
warm-weather destinations as well as Alaska tours.
Although the U.S. Congress approved the purchase, some critics
In 2001, John Hall Sr. sold The Anderson House but continued to
referred to it as “Seward’s Folly.” As time went on, it became increas-
run Anderson House Tours. It soon became obvious that the company
ingly obvious that Alaska had several major merits, including its value
was having particular success with Alaska tours. The obvious reason
in defense, its impressive natural resources and its scenic beauty.
is that there was a shortage of good tours to Alaska because no com-
Alaska became the 49th state in 1959. It is also the largest of the
pany concentrated on Alaska or put in a special effort there. Hence,
states, with a size approximately two and half times that of Texas.
that became their company goal and the reason for the name change
Alaska has become one of the most-requested escorted tour des-
to John Hall’s Alaska. The operation soon became a real family busi-
tinations since it appeals to people for several reasons, including its
ness, as the three Hall children decided to join the company. All had
beauty, wildlife, remote location and uniqueness. It boasts eight
been raised at The Anderson House and hence were familiar with
national parks, including the four largest in the U.S.: Wrangell-St.
the hospitality industry and in running tours. They all shared a love
Elias, Gates of the Arctic, Denali and Katmai.
for Alaska and its unique features.
While travelers become interested in its unique sights and expe-
The eldest son, John Hall Jr., is now the company vice president of
riences, the fact that it is so different causes them to prefer to have a
marketing. He is a specialist in Alaska and runs company operations in Anchorage. Joseph Hall is now the operations manager and in charge Bus Tours Magazine / March, 2018 • 19