Alaska operators sell Mother Nature
In Alaska, selling Mother Nature is a lucrative business.
In fact, it generates millions in revenues, says a new study conducted by the University of Alaska Anchorage.
It found a combined annual revenue of $250 million for about 150 shore-based operators that worked in a few northern Panhandle towns in 2005 and 2006.
Some Panhandle towns cater mostly to cruise ships travelers. Others target more luxury-minded travelers who seek a high-end charter yacht trip or fishing expedition.
The study showed how tourism’s economic consequences varied widely among towns, depending on what kinds of tourism activities they target.
“There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but there’s going to be different outcomes,” said Ginny Fay, an Anchorage economist who led the study.
An example: Hoonah and Elfin Cove — both Chichagof Island towns that got heavily involved in the tourism business after the recent decline in the region’s other major industries, fishing and logging.
Hoonah’s major tourism player is Icy Strait Point, a cruise ship port of call that opened in 2004.
For Elfin Cove — a smaller town to the west of Hoonah — the major source of tourism revenue comes from nine sport fishing lodges in the immediate area. The lodges reported in the study were fully booked from May to September 2005.
The researchers said they tried but were ultimately unable to obtain revenue figures from the cruise ship companies operating in Alaska.
“We tried to learn how the cruise industry itself affects the economy. We’d like to know more,” said Steve Colt.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season