Alister Strahan

Posted January 16, 2019

Alister Strahan

Managing Director

From a young age my life has revolved around sport in some shape or form and up until my mid-twenties rugby, cricket and golf formed the main playing aspects of life.

Since then it’s been all about watching the three disciplines and there aren’t many jobs in the world that give you the opportunity to watch these at the highest level around the world. The travel bug hit me quite late, but since then any destination that the British & Irish Lions or England Cricket tour have featured highly on the list. I think my two favourite destinations are Sri Lanka and New Zealand though. Both offer spectacular tourist experiences combined with great local hosting. South America and Canada are now on the bucket list and I hope to get to both places very soon.

Stand out supporter experiences must be the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG in 2010 and the Lions victory in Sydney in 2013. Both unrivalled in terms of excitement, atmosphere and the fact the results went the right way was an added bonus!

We’ve been very fortunate at Venatour to have met so many fantastic people travelling with us. We have a very high repeat tourist rate and we, as a team, have been able to form great friendships with so many people from around the UK and overseas. Whether in Cooch’s Tavern, in the stadiums or in the airport departure lounge, we have been treated to some truly great times and long may that continue.

Barbara and I had a wonderful weekend in Dublin with Venatour. We have been to Dublin many times for Six Nations matches but never with Venatour. The hotel was ideal because of it's nearness to the ground and numerous restaurants. We found our tour guides very friendly and helpful. Our fellow supporters were also very friendly and pleasant. A thoroughly enjoyable trip despite the result! We hope to travel with Venatour to future matches.
Alan & Barbara Barker 6 Nations 2017, Ireland v England
Just wanted to say a big thank you for organising our Rugby tour this year. Everything worked as planned and we all had a fantastic time. The hotel was just at the level required, bar below was enjoyed by all. Breakfast at the hotel followed by pasta at both the clubs and Pizza on Saturday night all delicious. Your associates on the ground in Italy where very nice and helpful and on time. Our hosts at both clubs welcomed us and the boys played some great rugby at a very competitive level. As you know the success of a tour is really the bonding experience that happens in all directions and I have to say this tour achieved it. Smiley tired happy faces left Gatwick on our return with a great appreciation for Rugby and its Family. Well done and thankyou from all of us at Chobham RFC Colts for helping to make this tour a success.
Kevin, Mark & Conor Chobham RFC