For further information contact: Jack Tacchino Lewis Travel & Cruises PH: (559) 431-1800 Fax: (559) 435-1879 Email: jtacchino@lewistravel.com

LEWIS TRAVEL MERGES WITH
INDUSTRY GIANT ALTOUR

Several years ago with a series of moves designed to solidify its position as the Valley's largest provider of travel services, Mark Lewis of the Mark Lewis Travel Network brought together six established travel companies. Mark Lewis Travel, Beck & Duke Travel, A&D Travel, Tacchino Travel, and Tuschka-Lippert Travel merged to form Lewis Travel & Cruises.

In August 2010, Lewis Travel further solified their position as the Central Valley's travel industry leader by merging with the $1 billion industry giant Altour. "Bringing several of the major travel leaders together several years ago provided the opportunity to elevate our service capibilities." Mr. Lewis said, "Adding the alliance with Altour elevates our service even further. Additionally, Altour has created for us a tremendous buying power advantage. Increased size, and therefore volume, allows us to negotiate better pricing from travel suppliers. Better prices for us translates to better value for our customers."

Mark Lewis Travel Network has roots in the community since 1959. Returning from missionary work that had made Ellsworth & Lillian Lewis world travelers, they decided to start a travel agency in Visalia and put that expertise to work. Travels that included raising a family in the wilds of Africa provided valuable lessons about traveling abroad. A sincere caring attitude for client needs was evident and insured company success. In 1979, after learning the trade well, son Mark Lewis became the President of Lewis Travel and embarked on a road of expansion that firmly established the Mark Lewis Travel Network in Fresno and Visalia. The consolidation of companies under the name Lewis Travel and Cruises has made the company the largest travel agency network in the Central Valley.

Lewis Travel's offices are located at 2788 W. Bullard Avenue in Fresno and 310 W. Center Street in Visalia.