Name: Phil Otterson
Title: President
Company, city: Abercrombie & Kent USA, Chicago
Number of employees: 2,200
First job: Working on the family farm
Little-known fact about you: I grew up on a rice farm in central California’s San Joaquin Valley.
Phil Otterson’s Business
Essential business philosophy: Deep roots and long-standing relationships give us access to people and places that few other travel companies can reach. Those relationships allow us to create genuinely distinctive experiences for our clients.
Best way to keep a competitive edge: We rely on seasoned destination experts and maintain a company size that balances personalized attention with the buying power needed to secure the finest local escorts, exceptional accommodations, dependable transportation and exclusive access.
Yardstick of success: Our reputation is reflected in more than five decades of industry recognition, including honors such as Best Luxury Tour Operator in the World from Global Traveler’s Leisure Travel Awards, World’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator (World Travel Awards), Best Luxury Tour Operator International (Travel Weekly), Best Luxury Tour Operator (Luxury Travel Advisor), Best Worldwide Tour Operator (Porthole Cruise Magazine) and Best Tour Operator Africa/Middle East (TravelAge West, Recommend and Agent@Home).
Phil Otterson As A Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? I never leave home without my iPhone.
How do you spend your time on board? Eastbound flights from Chicago are usually for sleeping; westbound flights are for work.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Little Goat Diner in Chicago, opened by Chef Stephanie Izard. The menu offers pleasantly unexpected dishes and a fresh approach to comfort food.
What is your favorite destination in the world? Myanmar, particularly Inle Lake. The sight of fishermen on the water, mountains framing the lake and villages on stilts creates a memorable and intimate travel experience.
About Abercrombie & Kent
What gives Abercrombie & Kent an edge over the competition? Abercrombie & Kent combines the convenience, service and security of a U.S.-based company with an international network of 50 on-site offices staffed around the clock. This structure enables us to secure top guides, premium accommodations and reliable transportation at significant savings compared with arranging travel independently.
Our itineraries blend iconic sights with privileged access and authentic encounters that reveal the heart of a destination—experiences guests are unlikely to find on their own. Travelers who join guided journeys often remark on how guides significantly enhance both understanding and enjoyment. Our guides and local teams form an essential support system, ready to handle the unexpected and ensure a seamless experience.
What destinations are the most popular? Africa remains the leading luxury destination, offering diverse ways to experience high-end travel: gorilla trekking in Uganda, luxury tented camps in Botswana, bush dinners in Tanzania and wine tasting in South Africa. Luxury can be simple and powerful—such as returning from an evening game drive to a candlelit private bath on your deck.
Emerging interest areas include the Arctic and Myanmar. Growing awareness of climate change has increased demand for trips to the High Arctic—Greenland and the Svalbard Archipelago among them—and our polar expeditions have seen strong uptake. Interest in Myanmar surged after political changes signaled openness to responsible tourism, producing an approximately 80 percent rise in bookings year over year.
How does Abercrombie & Kent promote fair trade and sustainable tourism? Modern travelers increasingly value experiences that money cannot buy: genuine connections and lasting memories. Abercrombie & Kent was an early adopter of community development initiatives that introduce travelers to grassroots organizations making a tangible difference. Local A&K teams identify conservation, health, education and cultural priorities, then collaborate with community partners to develop solutions funded by Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy. Today the program supports more than 40 projects across all seven continents, reflecting a long-term commitment to responsible tourism and positive local impact.