Alaska expects a banner tourism season this summer season, led by a
resurgence in cruise arrivals. That was the message at Experience Alaska, a
media occasion in Manhattan sponsored by the Alaska Travel Industry Association
(ATIA) that includes greater than a dozen cruise strains, locations and different journey
suppliers from throughout the state. The occasion was held in-person for the primary
time since earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic started in spring 2020.
“We have tons of pent-up demand,” mentioned Jennifer Reisfeld,
Public Relations Manager for Holland America Line. In response to suggestions from
previous passengers, the road has launched a program of “Legendary Voyages”
lasting 25-59 days. “Guests want longer voyages,” she famous. In Alaska, this
will embody a brand new 28-day “Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise in 2024 aboard the
Westerdam that calls in 12 Alaska ports. The cruise, which departs June 9
crusing roundtrip from Seattle, is the primary of its sort for the road and has
been “selling really well from the moment it was announced,” she mentioned.
At Princess Cruises, the road was equally enthusiastic.
“This is the first year being back [from COVID] that is in full operation,”
mentioned Public Relations Manager Briana Latter. “So we’re positively anticipating
an enormous yr,” she mentioned. The line has seven of its 15 ships in Alaska for 2023
together with the Discovery Princess, its latest, again for a second season. All
5 wilderness lodges are additionally open, she added.
Not surprisingly, Alaska’s ports of name and different
locations expect large customer numbers, too. The Ketchikan Visitors
Bureau is projecting 1.4 million cruise passengers, surpassing its pre-COVID
numbers. Significantly, 28% are anticipated to come back by way of Ward Cove, the brand new
docking facility seven miles north of city.
Over in Juneau, Midgi Moore, proprietor of Juneau Food Tours,
reported that “we’re doing very well. The meals excursions are doing good; we’re
promoting out.” In addition to her culinary strolling excursions, Moore now provides Jeep
excursions for small teams of two to 4.
In Southcentral Alaska, issues are wanting up as nicely.
“We’re expecting a record year,” mentioned Julie Saupe, President and CEO of Visit
Anchorage. While some communities are involved about over-tourism, Anchorage
has loads of room to develop. “We have the space,” she mentioned. The metropolis is
anticipating extra ships at greater load elements than final yr. Independent journey
is powerful, too. “So we’re expecting a banner year,” she reiterated.
Echoing these feedback was a consultant from the Alaska
Railroad, which hyperlinks Anchorage and Fairbanks alongside the favored tourism
hall generally known as the Railbelt. “We’re looking at a strong year,” mentioned
Marketing Communications Manager Meghan Clemens. “We’re seeing extra unbiased
vacationers coming again to Alaska, they usually’re enthusiastic about prepare journey.”
And in Fairbanks, Alaska’s self-described “farthest north
cruise port” attributable to its place on many cruise-tour itineraries, curiosity is
additionally excessive. “Our accommodations this previous yr have executed document enterprise primarily based on
pent-up demand,” reported Explore Fairbanks Public Relations Manager Jerry
Evans. “People are still a little hesitant with overseas travel,” he famous,
explaining that has meant fewer inbound vacationers from China and Japan coming
to see the northern lights. “But that demand is being made up for by vacationers
from the U.S.,” he concluded.
To discover out extra about promoting journey to Alaska, go browsing to TravelAlaska.com.
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Source: www.travelpulse.com”